William Eric Hafner, age 83, of Little Elm, Texas, passed away June 5, 2021. William was born January 16, 1938, in Edson, Alberta, Canada, to Clarence William and Mary Lucille Irene (Dahlin) Hafner. He was the third of six children. William worked as a psychiatric nurse in Ponoka, Alberta, from 1961-1964. He received a Bachelor of Theology from Canadian Union College in 1967 and a Bachelor of Divinity from the Seventh-Day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University, Michigan, in 1970. While at Andrews University, he met Lois Louise Steen and they were married on August 18, 1968, in Charlottesville, Virginia.
William pastored a number of Michigan Seventh-day Adventist churches from 1970-1984. He was passionate about bringing people to Christ. William worked as a licensed builder in Midland, Michigan, from 1986-2004 when he retired and he and Lois moved to Little Elm, Texas. His hobbies included studying religious history, helping others understand the Bible, healthy living, gardening and carpentry. He was always helping others and his constant smile and cheerfulness will be missed by many.
William is survived by his children, Maria Elizabeth Hafner and husband, Chris Wheeler, of Little Elm, Texas, Franc Mark Hafner of Dallas, Texas, Jonathan William Hafner and wife, Gin Bartlett-Hafner, of Harriman, Tennessee, and Rachelle Evangeline Hafner of Midland, Michigan; grandchildren, Ashlyn Yarmuth, William Hafner, Brette Hafner, Blake Hafner, and Eli Hafner; and siblings, Bunita (Bonnie) Hafner Chisholm and Daisy Hafner Millar and husband, Garth.
William was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and siblings, LeRoy Hafner, Bernice Hafner, and Betty Hafner Abraham.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 pm on Thursday, July 1, 2021, at Fairview Mosaic Christian Fellowship SDA Church in Fairview, Texas.