B G Hartley Family

Established in 1998 by B G Hartley and his family. Mr. Hartley came to Tyler in 1960 to open Southside Bank, which has since grown into one of the premier financial institutions in Texas. Hartley was CEO of Southside Bank since its opening in 1960, serving in that capacity until he retired in 2012 and served as chairman of the board through 2014.

Billie Boyd Hartley, born in Chandler, Texas, on Groundhog Day, February 2nd, was the fifth child of six born to Alice Brewer Boyd and Robert Ira Boyd.

Billie attended Chandler Schools, graduating valedictorian of her high school class despite never being offered a science or advanced mathematics class. Her parents, neither of whom received formal education beyond the sixth grade, insisted on a college education for each of their children. Billie attended Tyler Junior College, where she was an Apache Belle on the 2nd and 3rd lines. She is quoted as stating that her “life began when she stepped on the campus of TJC.” She was a first-semester inductee to Phi Theta Kappa, a national honor society. She always fondly remembered Jean Browne and Mildred Stringer as exemplary teachers who helped change her life. North Texas University in Denton was her choice for obtaining a bachelor’s degree with a double major in business and secondary education. Her first career, though brief, was teaching business subjects in high school.

She found her true calling working at the original Tyler Bank & Trust as an administrative assistant to Mr. W.A.Pounds. Through her work at Tyler Bank & Trust, Billie met State of Texas bank examiner B.G. (Bill) Hartley. Billie and Bill were married for almost 60 years. She helped him in establishing Tyler’s first suburban bank, Southside Bank. Billie and Bill shared a love of travel. They were always found together at events throughout the nation in support of banking interests. She especially loved the numerous antique shows she and Bill discovered. She was active in the Tyler community, calling herself " a girl that just could not say no." Billie loved the Texas Rose Festival, chairing the Coronation in 1982 as well as working on festival committees through the years. She adored being the mother of the Rose Queen in 1983. When the time came for the establishment of the Tyler Rose Museum, Billie was elected its first president, serving in this capacity throughout the planning, fundraising, and construction of the museum. She continued her devotion to the museum by serving as its president for over 20 years and was its vice-president until her death.

Billie was a long-time member of the Women’s Symphony League, the Foundation Board of Tyler Junior College, the Advisory Board of the University of Texas at Tyler Cowan Center, and the Marion Wilcox Jr. Garden Club. She was a member of Marvin United Methodist Church. Billie’s contributions to Tyler were recognized by the T.B. Butler Award for Tyler’s Most Outstanding Citizen (jointly with Bill) in 1991, the Exemplary Leadership in the Arts at Texas College in 1998, and the East Texas Communities Foundation Philanthropy Award (jointly with Bill) in 2001.

Billie’s family included her husband Bill, her son Patrick Boyd Hartley, her daughter and son-in-law, Jane and Mike Coker, and her grandson Hartley Craig (Brooke Coker).