Granville William Hall, hardworking family man
Granville William Hall, affectionately known as ‘Shorty’ and professionally known as ‘The BBQ Doctor,’ died unexpectedly Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025.
Granville grew up and raised his family in Milton. He worked his entire life and wore many different hats. As a child, he raised and sold pigs, and made coal with his father. Later in life, he worked overnight at Atlantis Plastics, raised hogs with Dale Calloway, made pizzas at Quick Stop, was a fisherman and clammer with George Brown, and owned the trash company, Diamond State Refuse. He then settled in at H.O. Brittingham Elementary as the head custodian and fire chief until his retirement. Shorty worked so hard for his family that he held three jobs at once, driving his trash truck in the early mornings, working as a custodian at HOB during the day, and being the BBQ Doctor on weekends.
When his youngest daughter, Sonya, was born a preemie in 1983, Shorty and his brother-in-law, J. Kevin Whaley, established the BBQ Doctors to generate extra income to travel back and forth with his wife, Blanche, to Christiana Hospital. This side job turned into a 42-year successful catering business, built solely by word of mouth.
In his retirement, Shorty enjoyed soap operas, game shows, WNBA games, Little League World Series, local high school sports, and, of course, his Redskins! He had an amazing love and deep admiration for his entire family and his multitude of friends. He truly believed in and loved the good Lord.
Granville was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph H. and Vandola L. Harmon; three angel daughters, Shanna, Stacy and Tracy; his great-grandson and little buddy, Makoa Copes; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Alton T. and Lillie B. Whaley; his sister-in-law, Sheila Batson-Lang; and his niece, Lasheena Griffin.
Shorty is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 52 1/2 years, Blanche; his baby girl, Sonya Hall; and his bonus daughter since she was 2 years old, Threasa and her husband Kemp Brittingham of Milton. He is also survived by his sister and her husband, Geraldine and Willard Allen Jr. of Milton; his brother and his wife, Jesse and Betty Hall Sr. of Philadelphia; his granddaughter, Zynaisa; his great-grandchildren, Aveah and Royalè of Millsboro; his brother-in-law, Alton Whaley Jr. of Milton; his sister-in-law, Sandra Watson of Frederica; his brother-in-law and his wife, Jeremiah Kevin and Paulette of Frederica; his brother-in-law Camuel Whaley of Frederica; and his sister-in-law and her husband, Marneeta and Jeffery Akins of Harrington.
Shorty also leaves behind his great-nieces and -nephews he raised as his grandchildren: A.J. Allen and his wife Martisha of Magnolia; Jordan Allen and his wife Hannah of Lancaster, Calif.; Johnesha Warren of Mt. Prospect, Ill.,; Kemp Brittingham Jr. of Milton; Jon Warren of Stillwater, Okla.; and Kaylah Banks of Milton. Shorty’s adopted son, Shawn Moore and his wife Jaime of Lincoln, will also remember him fondly, along with his best good friends: Keith Brittingham, Emory Howell, Albert Davis, Rita Morris, Lisa Carter, Justin Jones, Kenny Morris, and James Jackson. His abundance of nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and -nephews often made him shed tears of joy because of their many accomplishments. He truly was the definition of a hard-working, family man with a limitless heart and the biggest smile. To say he will be missed by many is an understatement.
A memorial service will be held with visitation from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 4, at Ellendale Fire Hall Station 75, 302 Main St., Ellendale, with services beginning immediately after. The repast will also be held at the fire hall following the services.
"And his master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things! Come and share your Master’s happiness!’" —Matthew 25:23 NIV.
Arrangements are in care of Short Funeral Services, Milton.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com.
