04/30/20 - NNHS Newsletter

Heavy was the type of person who made you feel like you've been friends forever. I know he will be missed.

~ Unsigned

@ April 30, 2020

My family has so many memories with the Hall family I wouldn't know where to begin. Some of them will be the fondest memories of my life. My prayers and love go out to his family.

~ Kay Evans

@ April 30, 2020

Heavy was my boss for much of my shipyard career. He was a excellent boss and caring man. The X31 Electrical for New Submarine Construction was like a big family and Heavy was in charge. He was respected by all of us who worked for him along with anyone else who met him. Even after he retired, he would bring Ann Marie Subs to the gate at lunchtime for all of us. That might of been repayment for us making his snack of popcorn so he didn't burn up the microwave. I will cherish the memories of him and the rest of those people as the best in my career there. I know we would all be there to offer our sincere condolences if it were to be possible but my prayers and thoughts are with everyone.

@ April 30, 2020

Granville was my first love though we went our separate ways when I went off to college. We had reconnected by phone for the first time in nearly 60 years after the death of my husband, and had some wonderful conversations over the past year or so. I talked to him the Wednesday before he died and his last words to me were "I may not get back to you for a few days but don't worry". I did worry of course, as I knew he was not well. I send my deepest sympathy to his family. He will be sorely missed.

~ Melissa Farster Sharpley

@ April 30, 2020

Great person, loved working for him. I worked for him for about 20 years.

@ April 30, 2020

So sorry to hear about your loss. You know that God and Jesus are in the best position to comfort us when we lose a loved one in death.

@ April 30, 2020

Harry and I dearly loved Jimmy, he was the sweetest and kindest man we've ever known. You are all in our prayers. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/dailypress/guestbook.aspx?n=james-nelms&pid=168424497&cid=full#sthash.eYd8EQ0l.dpuf

Lost a good one, my condolences to all family and friends. He will be missed.

@ April 30, 2020

Mr. Hall (Heavy) started off as my basketball coach, then acted as a second father to me, became my general foreman at the shipyard, and spent the remaining years as a dear friend. I have so many great memories of us hanging out at the beach, Ann Marie's, and various other events. I was able to see him in NN over the past year and laugh about the old times. He will always be remembered as part of my growing up, and will be truly missed.

~ Steve Church

@ April 30, 2020

RIP, Heavy, you were one of the good guys that it was always a pleasure to work with. My condolences to your family and friends.

~ Hoot Gibson

@ May 01, 2020

D

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@ May 01, 2020

				NEWPORT NEWS - Granville Craddock (“Heavy”) Hall passed away peacefully at his home in Newport News on Saturday, April 25, 2020. He was born on August 10, 1936 in Richmond, VA, but moved to Newport News as a young child, where he remained for the rest of his life. He spent many happy childhood days in the Marshall Courts neighborhood before moving to a home on Sedgefield Drive with his family. Granville was a 1954 graduate of Newport News High School, where he excelled in football and basketball. He was a graduate of the Newport News Shipbuilding Apprentice School, where he also played football, as well as a veteran of the U.S. Army. Heavy retired from Newport News Shipbuilding as a General Foreman in the Electrical Department (X31) in 1998 after more than 40 years of service, and later was co-owner of Ann Marie’s Subs in Denbigh. Granville’s “happy place” was Kill Devil Hills, NC – so many cherished memories of times with family and friends over the years, on the screened porch of his cottage on Eden Street, in the bar at Chilli Peppers or Awful Arthur’s; and summer days on the beach in a folding lawn chair with a cooler nearby. He loved to cook and throw parties (always); he loved UVA, ACC basketball, the Kentucky Derby, and the Washington Redskins (sometimes); and he adored his grandchildren, making a point of going to every child’s sporting events, performances, birthday parties, and graduations. They will miss his text messages that always ended with “Lv Pappy.”
	"Heavy" Hall


	He relished opportunities to help others, and was a generous and faithful friend to so many. Heavy was well-known for his skill at telling jokes, and his many memorable renditions of “Funky Woman,” a song he learned during his days in the Army. He cherished his friendships, both new and lifelong, and will be especially missed by his beloved longtime friends Mickey Marcella, Glenn (“Bird”) Nelson, Emmett McNulty, and Phil Gregg. And we know he’s enjoying a cold one right now with his treasured friend Dick (“Poopy”) Bowman, who’s been waiting patiently for him in heaven. Heavy was a member of the Peninsula Sports Club and supporter of the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula. He was preceded in rest by his parents, Edward Pearson and Nell Medley Hall; his brother, Edward P. (“Ted”) Hall, Jr.; and his great-granddaughter, Grace Katherine Davenport. Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Diane E. Fulton of Yorktown, and son, G. Todd Hall (Tammy) of Caswell Beach, NC; stepson, Michael Warren (Brandy); and stepdaughter, Lori Armer (Mike). His beloved grandchildren will dearly miss their “Pappy,” including Katie Davenport (Jake), Melissa Hall (Ray), Agatha Pilola (Michael), Sean-Michael Wilkinson, Christina Hall, Elizabeth Lyndsey Hall, Gabrielle Hall, Glen Warren, Jonathan Armer, and Sierra Warren; and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Sherwood (“Sherry”) Hoge (Jeff) of Hubert, NC, and Katherine (“Kate”) Rishebarger of San Antonio, TX, and their children. Heavy was a Peninsula icon and leaves behind a multitude of wonderful friends and loved ones who wish they had time for “just one more” with this very special man. The family would like to thank Mona DiFazio for the years of loving care and comfort that she provided to Heavy, as well as Grace Hospice for their support in his final days. Funeral arrangements are private and being handled by Peninsula Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled at a later date. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula in Heavy’s honor. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks. Published in the Daily Press on April 30, 2020. View Guest Book