On August 25, 2010, another precious, patriotic, courageous WASP ‘Slipped the surly bonds of earth and touched the face of God’. Lizabeth Ann Hazzard passed away after an extended hospital stay at several local hospitals in south Texas. She was born Lisabeth Ann Morgan on March 26, 1921 in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 1941, Ann became interested in flying and signed up for the CPT (Civilian Pilot Training) course at Butler University, where she learned to fly.
She earned her pilot’s license and enough hours to enter WASP class 43-7, along with 101 other young women pilots. On Novmber 13, 1943, after successfully completing the required curriculum and flying proficiency of Army Air Force flight training at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas, Ann and 58 classmates graduated, received their silver WASP wings, and became WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots).
Following her WASP graduation, Ann was assigned by the AAF to Mather Air Force Base, Sacramento, California for B-25 transition. After successfully completing the transition training, she was then transferred to March AFB, California, where she flew the B-25 as a tow-target pilot.
On 20 December 1944 the WASP were disbanded. After the deactivation, Ann ‘hitched’ a ride on a B-17 leaving San Diego, California and got as far as Topeka, Kansas. The trip was a fond memory, because she was able to take the pilot’s seat for the last military flying she ever did.
After WWII, Ann married Captain George M. Staples and was an Air Force wife for 13 years, until her husband passed away. As the mother of two young children, Ann became a working mom. Shortly after his death, she and another Air Force widow formed a modeling agency in San Antonio called “Military Models.” All of the models were wives, widows and children of military personnel. 
15 years after her first husband’s death, Ann met and married Harry Hazzard, businessman and great supporter of the WASP. Harry and Ann traveled to most of the WASP Reunions, with Harry serenading the WASP with his mellow baritone, ‘big-band’ voice and wife, Ann, standing close by, always smiling quietly.
In March, 2010, Ann and Harry traveled to DC so she could be a part of the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony. Harry was by her side, smiling.
On April 6, 2010, Ann and Harry Hazzard celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary.
Ann and Harry made their home near Pharr, Texas, where they owned and operated an RV park, "Holiday Village," part of the year. They built another home outside Hot Springs Arkansas, where they spent the other part of the year.
Ann was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Alamo. She is survived by her husband, Harry Hazzard; her children, Joseph William Staples of San Antonio and Georgeanne Nell of Daleville, Alabama; her two step-children, Ed Schneider of Hot Springs, Ariz, and Susan Pratt of Lake Whitney, Texas; sister Judy Campbell of Indianapolis, Ind; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
On 20 December 1944 the WASP were disbanded. After the deactivation, Ann ‘hitched’ a ride on a B-17 leaving San Diego, California and got as far as Topeka, Kansas. The trip was a fond memory, because she was able to take the pilot’s seat for the last military flying she ever did.
15 years after her first husband’s death, Ann met and married Harry Hazzard, businessman and great supporter of the WASP. Harry and Ann traveled to most of the WASP Reunions, with Harry serenading the WASP with his mellow baritone, ‘big-band’ voice and wife, Ann, standing close by, always smiling quietly.
In March, 2010, Ann and Harry traveled to DC so she could be a part of the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony. Harry was by her side, smiling.
On April 6, 2010, Ann and Harry Hazzard celebrated their 36th wedding anniversary.
Ann and Harry made their home near Pharr, Texas, where they owned and operated an RV park, "Holiday Village," part of the year. They built another home outside Hot Springs Arkansas, where they spent the other part of the year.
Ann was a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Alamo. She is survived by her husband, Harry Hazzard; her children, Joseph William Staples of San Antonio and Georgeanne Nell of Daleville, Alabama; her two step-children, Ed Schneider of Hot Springs, Ariz, and Susan Pratt of Lake Whitney, Texas; sister Judy Campbell of Indianapolis, Ind; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Memorial service was held Saturday, Aug. 28, 2010, at Zion Lutheran Church in Alamo. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Amodor Funeral Home in Pharr, Texas.
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In February of 2009, when our family was trying to plan for a very expensive trip to DC to attend the WASP Gold Medal Ceremony, Harry Hazzard kindly came forward and made it possible for all of us to stay together at a reasonable rate. His thoughtfulness and kindness will never be forgotten! He and Ann were a team. It is hard to remember them any other way. We will be forever grateful for their kindness.
Our prayers are with Harry and the entire family.
Respectfully posted by Nancy Parrish
With references to online obituary and WASP Betty Turner's "Out of the Blue and Into History"
In February of 2009, when our family was trying to plan for a very expensive trip to DC to attend the WASP Gold Medal Ceremony, Harry Hazzard kindly came forward and made it possible for all of us to stay together at a reasonable rate. His thoughtfulness and kindness will never be forgotten! He and Ann were a team. It is hard to remember them any other way. We will be forever grateful for their kindness.
Our prayers are with Harry and the entire family.
Respectfully posted by Nancy Parrish
With references to online obituary and WASP Betty Turner's "Out of the Blue and Into History"
I am Ann's granddaughter and I miss her very much. I am so blessed to have had such a wonderful grandmother and am so thankful that she had such a wonderful husband, my Grandpa Harry Hazzard.
ReplyDeleteFeminine courage!
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