EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A Catholic priest, who was known to generations of El Pasoans for his kind nature and his advocacy for the less fortunate in the Borderland, has died.
Rev. James Wolter “Buzz” Hall, who served the El Paso Diocese for nearly 55, has died at the age of 82, Diocese said Saturday night, Feb. 1. The Diocese did not say when he died.
Rev. James Wolter “Buzz” Hall. Photo courtesy of the El Paso Diocese
For many El Pasoans, he was affectionately known as “Father Buzz,” a tireless advocate for the poor, migrants and colonias.
Hall was ordained in 1970 and served different communities and parishes in the El Paso Diocese over the years. He was perhaps most well-known for his time in at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in East El Paso.
Father Buzz was also one of the co-founders of the El Paso Interreligious Sponsoring Organization, commonly called by its acronym EPISO. This is a grass-roots, church-based organizing project that seeks to change and empower communities and hold elected officials accountable. EPISO would hold its own particular style of candidate forums in which they would ask elected officials questions that were important to poor communities.
Funeral arrangements will be announced as soon as they become available, the Diocese said.
Here is the entire statement that the Diocese sent out on Hall’s death:
“With faith and trust in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, we sadly announce the passing
of Rev. James Wolter ‘Buzz’ Hall, 82. Affectionately known as Fr. Buzz, he dedicated nearly 55
years to serving the diocese with fervor and love for the El Paso community.
“During his priestly ministry, Fr. Buzz was an outspoken advocate for the poor and the migrant and served on several organizations dedicated to that work. Ordained on May 29, 1970, Fr. Buzz served various communities within the El Paso Diocese, particularly in East El Paso at St. Thomas
Aquinas Catholic Church.
“Eternal rest grant unto him, Oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and
the souls of the all the faithful departed through God’s mercy rest in peace.”
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