WILLIAM "SONNY' HALE

William E. “Sonny” (“Big B”) Hale, age 86, of Brunswick came into to this world Thursday, May 11, 1936, and left it on Thursday, January 19, 2023. Born in Little Italy, Cleveland (hence his love for spaghetti and meatballs) to the late Leona G (nee Myers) Hale. He was the youngest of four and the only son. His mother affectionately gave him the name “Sonny” that he carried throughout his life.

After graduating from High School, he was playing drums in a band when he met his future wife, Mary J. Ward. Together they had six children and in addition a child from a previous marriage that he later adopted; they were the Hale Family. Sonny was determined to give his family the life he felt they deserved. He went to work as a barber at the National City Bank building in downtown Cleveland and began creating portraits and murals that are still around to this day. After moving to their home in Westlake Sonny knew he had to do more and started his own upholstery shop out of the basement. He taught classes in the garage and eventually was able to open Curtiss Blair Upholstering, named after his oldest son, in Fairview Park. At 86, Sonny was still upholstering for family and friends.

Sonny sang with the George Stone Singers for a brief time, but his lifelong passion was playing his drums. Any free moments he had were spent playing his pearl drum set and singing his favorite Frank Sinatra tunes. As the years went by, he no longer had the pearl drums, but he never lost his passion for playing. He played drums with his nephews and family up until a few months before he passed. The last time he held drumsticks in his hand he began to cry because he was so happy. He once said the only thing that could make him happier was being with his family.

In addition to his mother, Sonny was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; son, William Joseph I; stepdaughter, Rosemarie; grandson, William “Little B” Clifford; sisters, Katherine, Lucille, and Gladys; and great nephew, Fred Jr.

Sonny will be deeply missed by his daughters, Patricia Lynne Clifford, and Cassandre; sons, Curtiss, William Joseph II, and Chance; grandchildren, Candice (Jeff) Chamberlain and Christopher Heiser; great-grandchild, Jeffry (Miah); great-great-granddaughter, Aurora; nephews, Frank (Patty) Esposito, Fred (Kathy) Esposity, Larry Esposito, William “Willy” (Pat) Fonseca, and Tucker (Tammy) Fonseca; niece, Sandi Donnally; great nephew and niece, Frank II (Jodi) Esposito, April (Max) Dunning, Jessica Fonseca, Jennifer Fonseca, John Fonseca, Joe Fonseca, and Megan Fonseca, Sam Donnally, and Carla Donnally; great-great nephews and nieces, Frank Esposito III, Angelina Esposito, Vinnie Esposito, Kyle Esposito, Taylor Esposito, and Kaitlin Esposito, Raymier Esposito, Bowh Fonseca, Riland Fonseca, and Blake Fonseca, and Braden Fonseca; as well as other extended family and cherished friends.

Per his request, in lieu of a memorial service that his family and friends celebrate his life with a party in the park where we will share music and laughter as we remember the man that we all loved. Due to the weather, the Celebration will be held on June 10, 2023, at 1:00 pm in Plum Creek Park, South. Please return to this site on June 1st for any updates.

The Hale family would like to thank Carlson Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, Brunswick for all their help in caring for Sonny.