Dr William R. Hall

Dr. William R. Hall, age 92, passed away on October 26, 2017 at his home in Bellingham, Washington. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Lynn and Alberta Hall, and sister, Betsy Reynolds. He is survived by his wife Dr. Norma J. Williams and her children: Brad Williams and Pamela Brant. Also surviving are his brother Jack Hall, Bill’s first wife Rose Hall and their children: Bruce (Jenny) Hall, Cindy (Lee) Scovanner, Debra Finn and Kim (Doug) Stickney. Grandchildren are Austin (Tina) Hall, Amelia Hall, Anna Hall, Cassie (Mark) Scovanner-Bloom, Johnathan Scovanner, Melissa Scovanner, Chad Finn, Brian Finn, Tony (Lori) Finn, Greg Finn, Christopher Stickney and Caitlin (Nic) Mortelliti. A great grandson Connor (Tony and Lori) Finn and many nieces and nephews are also left behind. William R. Hall was a fighter pilot (1943-1947) for the Army Air Corp and United States Air Force during World War II before graduating from the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree (1949) in Physical Education. He served the Waucoma Independent School District, Waucoma, Iowa as a high school teacher/coach/principal while he continued to serve his country by serving in the Air Force Reserves. Hall joined the Dubuque Community School District as a teacher (1953-1956) and earned a Master of Arts degree (1956) in Elementary Administration from the University of Northern Iowa. He served as a principal (1956-1983) in Dubuque before graduating from the University of Iowa with a Doctor of Philosophy degree (1985) in Educational Administration. Dr. William R. Hall served as president of both District #1 and the Iowa Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals, and as a member of the UNI Graduate Advisory Committee. He served as president of District #1 Elementary Principals Association of Iowa and later Director of the Institute for School Executives (1983-1985), University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. Hall served the College of Education, Western Washington University, Bellingham WA as a visiting professor (1985-1995). He was a member of the USA Air Force Reserves twenty four years (1950-1974) retiring at the rank of Major, serving as coordinator for the Iowa Air Force Reserves and liaison officer for the United States Air Force Academy. In addition, he received honorary life membership to the Scottish American Military Society in 2009. Bill served as a senior volunteer on the Bellingham Police Department for 12 years. He also served as secretary of the Roche Harbor Yacht Club and President of the Fourth Corner Fly Fishers Club. He often said his love of fishing gave him the greatest joy of life due to friends and camaraderie found in FCFF. He was honored for his service with FCFF/education committee with a life membership. Bill was a Mason for 70 years, serving masonry in Iowa for 40 years as a District Lecturer and Masonic Instructor for Grand Lodge and member of their Speakers Bureau. After moving to Bellingham, Bill joined Bellingham Bay 44, and then Whatcom Lodge 151. A great honor was bestowed on Bill when he was inducted into the Hall of Excellence in 2014 by the University of Northern Iowa for his distinguished careers. A brass plaque honoring him hangs in UNI’s Hall of Excellence and will remain there for all to see in years to come. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held by his Bellingham family on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at l:00 P.M. at the Congregational Church/United Church of Christ, 2401 Cornwall Ave., Bellingham, WA. All are invited to attend Bill’s memorial. Condolences may be written at the websites of wordpress-271002-1416095.cloudwaysapps.com and/or www.whidbeymemorial.com. At Bill’s request his remains will be spread on the mountains and the waters of the Pacific Northwest.

Dr William R. Hall

August 26, 1925 - October 26, 2017