William Hall

William J. Hall Ojai, CA 1916 - 2011 This past Monday, July 24, 2011 at 3:47 a.m. William J. Hall, age 95, passed away peacefully at Ojai Community Hospital surrounded by his wife Peg, with whom he had recently celebrated a 70th wedding anniversary, and his children. He is survived by his wife Peg, his daughter Ellen Hall and sons Timothy, Thomas, William, Jr., and Patrick and their families. His children, their spouses and grandchildren including Mike, Serena, Lauren, Kelsey, Emily, Katelin, Hailey, Patrick. Jr., Tammy and Gigie plus two great grandchildren, Nicholas and Quintin, and some close friends gathered to be by his side prior to his passing. William Hall, known to friends as Bill, checked into the hospital on his 95th birthday. He had been living at The Gables in Ojai for the past 5 years, to be close to his family, many of whom are Ojai residents. He was not feeling quite “up to par” and requested “no heroic measures or machines to keep him alive” so he could pass peacefully. His family honored that request while keeping him comfortable and pain free. At ninety-five years he had not lost his charm and intellect and continued to compliment and charm his family members, visitors, doctors and hospital staff until he could no longer speak. Bill, who was the beloved patriarch of a large and lively family, was born in Foley, Minnesota on July 15, 1916 to William E. Hall & Teresa (Tracie) Schmidt. He was raised in Minnesota, and married Margaret Ablen, affectionately known as Peg, on July 4th, 1941. He was employed as an account executive by the 3M Company and was transferred to Southern California in 1948 where he spent the rest of his life in Alta-Dena, Woodland Hills, Camarillo and finally Ojai. He was a well respected employee of 3M for 35 years. An avid outdoorsman, he raised his 5 children to share his love of the outdoors. Many of Bill’s happiest moments were spent fishing and exploring Baja California and the California Sierra Nevada Mountains. His favorite spot was at a family beach cabin in Punta Final, in a remote location on the Sea of Cortez, where, over the course of 25 years, he often took his wife and family and two favorite companions, his black labs Tar & Babe. Bill had a gift of affirming and praising everyone he met. After a conversation with Bill, nearly everyone would feel better about themselves and the world. He might begin with “that wife of yours is such a great mother … your kids are so beautiful and smart …. Your garden is just gorgeous… That dog of yours is the greatest dog I’ve ever seen… or even those fish in your pond seem to love you… He would go on and on showering everyone with thoughtful and insightful praise unless you stopped him. Bill Hall, like many of ”the greatest generation” leaves some big shoes to fill on many levels. He will be missed by many whose lives were brightened by him, but we can all learn from his fine example of a “life well lived.” A memorial service will be held at Meditation Mount, 10340 Reeves Rd. Ojai CA, 93023 from 5:00 to 8:30 pm on Thursday July 28th. It is open forum, and stories from friends are welcome. Refreshments will be served.