I'm saddened by Bill's passing. Thanks for all the memories--sledding down Oakview's hill, walking to Silver Spring and back in the '64 blizzard, and hearing about the antics between our dads. Sort I never got down under for a visit. We kept in touch last 10+ years via email and I prayed for him through various surgeries. Now if Jules reads this, know my prayers continue. With love and hugs, Pam
Billy Hall, along with his 5 other siblings (Barbara, Marilyn, Tommy, Jimmy & Eileen), grew up in a house diagonally behind ours. We were on Wendell Street and the Halls lived on Schuyler. We were on and off again friends through Oak View Elementary, Eastern Jr. High, and Blair. His Dad ran the MaryAnn bakery and was almost never around. Mr. Hall was also an avid golfer. The Washington Post did a story on him as the volunteer golfer who would show up every morning at 5:00 a.m. to open the Rock Creek Golf Course. When my Mom was a Den Mother for our Cub Scout Den meetings, she would get the little, individual iced vanilla and chocolate cakes from their Bakery as snacks. They were incredible and made it worth showing up for those meetings. The Hall residence was always bustling and busy with kids from toddler to high school age. Mrs. Hall somehow held down that "Fort" with much help from daughters Barbara & Marilyn. My brother Craig & I, along with Billy, Tommy and little Jimmy Hall would play in the woods across the street from our houses. We also went sledding on "Suicide Hill" in those same woods. I lost track of Billy after Blair HS. I heard that he moved to Australia. I don't know if it is true, but I heard he never return to the U.S. Anyway, it is sad news that he has passed on. Billy and his family are in my thoughts as I fondly remember coming of age on Wendell Street.
Bill was the friend I needed most when I most needed a friend. I had just returned to “my old stomping ground” after a two year exile, and was about to begin the 10th grade with the kids I had gone to school with from Kindergarten to 7th grade. I should have felt like I was back in my comfort zone; however, the experiences of the previous 2 years including time spent in a foster home, left me distrustful of others, socially awkward, insecure and totally isolated. I met Bill at sophomore orientation and we became fast friends almost immediately. For the next four years (including my first year in the Marine Corps) Bill and I were partners in everything we did; caving with Mr. Doebler; taking first aid courses from the “hot girl” at the Red Cross; camping with the Explorer scouts; working together as “jumpers” on a Sunday Star newspaper delivery truck; hanging out at the AV Room; playing guitars (he was really good and I really sucked), trips to The Brickskellar to hear Joe Cory and the Crusade perform; my first time (and last) experience smoking hash; nursing me through my breakup with my first love; my first time having sex with a girl in the back of Bill’s car. Bill was there for all of it and much more. Bill was more than a friend, he was my brother, and his family treated me as though I was just one more of their kids. I might have become one more story of a life of failure, quitting school and becoming one more chronic underachiever. Instead, my connection with Bill and his family helped keep me anchored enough to finish high school (just barely) and put me on a path where I would succeed with other life pursuits. Time and distance sent each of us in different directions, Bill to Australia, and I went on with my life here. Bill was a gentle soul who loved music and sought beauty in his life. My one regret is that I never told Bill how much he helped me at that critical point in my life and now I will never have that opportunity. Bill was then and shall always be, the best friend I ever had or ever will have. I will miss you brother.
Pamela Davis (Mitchell)
I'm saddened by Bill's passing. Thanks for all the memories--sledding down Oakview's hill, walking to Silver Spring and back in the '64 blizzard, and hearing about the antics between our dads. Sort I never got down under for a visit. We kept in touch last 10+ years via email and I prayed for him through various surgeries. Now if Jules reads this, know my prayers continue. With love and hugs, Pam
James Nalley
Billy Hall, along with his 5 other siblings (Barbara, Marilyn, Tommy, Jimmy & Eileen), grew up in a house diagonally behind ours. We were on Wendell Street and the Halls lived on Schuyler. We were on and off again friends through Oak View Elementary, Eastern Jr. High, and Blair. His Dad ran the MaryAnn bakery and was almost never around. Mr. Hall was also an avid golfer. The Washington Post did a story on him as the volunteer golfer who would show up every morning at 5:00 a.m. to open the Rock Creek Golf Course. When my Mom was a Den Mother for our Cub Scout Den meetings, she would get the little, individual iced vanilla and chocolate cakes from their Bakery as snacks. They were incredible and made it worth showing up for those meetings. The Hall residence was always bustling and busy with kids from toddler to high school age. Mrs. Hall somehow held down that "Fort" with much help from daughters Barbara & Marilyn. My brother Craig & I, along with Billy, Tommy and little Jimmy Hall would play in the woods across the street from our houses. We also went sledding on "Suicide Hill" in those same woods. I lost track of Billy after Blair HS. I heard that he moved to Australia. I don't know if it is true, but I heard he never return to the U.S. Anyway, it is sad news that he has passed on. Billy and his family are in my thoughts as I fondly remember coming of age on Wendell Street.
Robert Moody
Bill was the friend I needed most when I most needed a friend. I had just returned to “my old stomping ground” after a two year exile, and was about to begin the 10th grade with the kids I had gone to school with from Kindergarten to 7th grade. I should have felt like I was back in my comfort zone; however, the experiences of the previous 2 years including time spent in a foster home, left me distrustful of others, socially awkward, insecure and totally isolated. I met Bill at sophomore orientation and we became fast friends almost immediately. For the next four years (including my first year in the Marine Corps) Bill and I were partners in everything we did; caving with Mr. Doebler; taking first aid courses from the “hot girl” at the Red Cross; camping with the Explorer scouts; working together as “jumpers” on a Sunday Star newspaper delivery truck; hanging out at the AV Room; playing guitars (he was really good and I really sucked), trips to The Brickskellar to hear Joe Cory and the Crusade perform; my first time (and last) experience smoking hash; nursing me through my breakup with my first love; my first time having sex with a girl in the back of Bill’s car. Bill was there for all of it and much more. Bill was more than a friend, he was my brother, and his family treated me as though I was just one more of their kids. I might have become one more story of a life of failure, quitting school and becoming one more chronic underachiever. Instead, my connection with Bill and his family helped keep me anchored enough to finish high school (just barely) and put me on a path where I would succeed with other life pursuits. Time and distance sent each of us in different directions, Bill to Australia, and I went on with my life here. Bill was a gentle soul who loved music and sought beauty in his life. My one regret is that I never told Bill how much he helped me at that critical point in my life and now I will never have that opportunity. Bill was then and shall always be, the best friend I ever had or ever will have. I will miss you brother.