Rev. William M. Hall

The Rev. William M. Hall, age 74, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle died January 2, 2019 surrounded by his immediate family. 

Born in Portsmouth, VA, Bill was the second child of John and Annie Laurie Hall, both deceased.  He was a graduate of Granby High School, Campbell College, and Duke Divinity School.

Bill had a remarkable life of ministry, service, and love.  Beginning his career as associate pastor at First Baptist Church, Danville, VA, he found his true calling as a chaplain.  Serving at Western Youth Institution in Morganton for more than 29 years and Burke Hospice for 10 years, Chaplain Hall believed all are deserving of God’s grace.  Profound in his wisdom and unique in his humor, he impacted many with his ministry, going to places the Church did not typically go.   As an active member of First Baptist Church, Morganton, he served as a deacon, taught Sunday School, and led spiritual formation groups for more than 40 years.  He also was a long-time board member of Yokefellow Prison Ministry of North Carolina.

For Bill, the grandest church was God’s creation.  Although he grew up on the Chesapeake Bay, he loved the North Carolina mountains.  As an avid bicycler and hiker, Bill was a charter member of Team FOG (Fat Ol’ Guys), a group of special friends who biked and hiked together through the years.  In addition, Bill enjoyed the camaraderie of his Every-Wednesday-Lunch-Bunch, a group of Western Youth Institution colleagues who met weekly for decades.  And, there was no mistaking Bill's allegiance to Duke as his schedule revolved around their games during basketball season.

The greatest joy in Bill’s life was his family.  Preceded in death by his first wife Adrianna, he is survived by his wife, Frances; children, Jonathan (Tracey) of Charlotte, NC; Michael (Katie) of Indian Trail, NC; and Kathryn of Richmond, VA.  He is also survived by his siblings Annette Hall and Brenda Moncrief (Tommy), of Richmond, VA.  While never grumpy, this self-proclaimed “Grumps” was adored by his three grandchildren, Jack (8), Meredith (7), and Liam (4).  "Uncle Bill" also dearly loved his niece and nephews, Monty Moncrief, Susan Markham, and Kevin Moncrief, and their families. 

A Celebration of Bill’s life will be held at First Baptist Church in Morganton, NC, on Sunday January 6th at 2:00 pm followed by a reception in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Television/Homebound Ministry of First Baptist Church, Morganton, a ministry that Bill volunteered with through the years and one that became incredibly important to him during his journey with leukemia.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.