JAMES W. “BILL” HALL Racine- James William “Bill” Hall, 76, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded with the love of his family, on Saturday, February 18, 2006. A lifetime resident, Bill was born in Racine on May 28, 1929 to the late Gorman and Gertrude (nee: Baggott) Hall. He graduated from St. Rose Catholic Grade School in 1943, St. Catherine’s High School “Class of 1947”, and went on to proudly earn his Mechanical Engineering degree from Marquette University in 1952. In addition, Bill faithfully served his Country with the United States Navy. On January 10, 1953 at St. Edward’s Church, he was united in marriage with Carol Rose Schuit, his lifelong partner. During his working career, Bill was employed by DuPont, the U.S. Navy, and Western Publishing until founding his engineer consulting firm, J.W. Hall and Associates. He was a devoted member of St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. Bill was involved with the Racine Manufacturers Assn., where he was a past-president. Among many of his interests, he was an avid golfer, downhill snow skier and enjoyed adventurous hikes. Above all, he was a loving husband, father and grandfather who made his family the number one priority in life. He will be deeply missed! Surviving are his loving wife of 53 years, Carol; his devoted children, Barbara (Scott) Kramar of Stevens Point; Mary (Bruce) Devenny of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; Jim (Judy) Hall of St. Paul, MN; David (Jodi) Hall of Prior Lake, MN; and Katie (Michael) Venturini of Racine; 9 cherished grandchildren: Justin and Colette Schaefer; Christopher Devenny; Samantha, Alexa and Alivia Hall; Madalyn, Molly and Nick Venturini; sisters: Mary Lou (Eugene) Cramer of Racine; Joan Hall of Racine; and Kathryn (George) Mueller of Glen Ellyn, IL; brothers: Tom (Pat) Hall of Racine/Bradenton, FL and David (Fusae) Hall of San Diego, CA; special nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends, too numerous to mention by name. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Gorman and Gertrude Hall; and brother-in-law, Monsignor William Schuit. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, February 23, 2006 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring St., at 10:30 am with Rev. William J. Dietzler officiating. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be in the funeral home, 4600 County Line Rd., on Wednesday from 5-7 pm with a prayer service being offered at 7:00 pm. There will also be visitation at the church on Thursday from 9:30-10:30 am. In memory of Bill, memorials to St. Paul the Apostle Church, St. Catherine’s High School or the Alzheimer’s Association are encouraged. A heartfelt note of thanks to the attending staffs of Froedtert Memorial Hospital, Vitas Hospice and the Marianjoy Rehabilitation Center (Wheaton, IL) and to Dr. Chaudhuri for the loving care and support that was so warmly extended to Bill and to our family. God bless all of you!
Nathalie Morin says
Hi Mary,
I’m so sorry for your dad. I’m giving you a big hug from Ottawa and thinking about you.
Gerry Lesage says
Mary Relax and take your time…
Martin Giesenow says
Mary Devenny,
As good as I may be at throwing glasses of wine at people, I am bad at expressing the will of sharing your grief in this moment.
Please, receive a hug from the guys of South America.
Martin
Marco Nadeau says
Hello Mary,
I just wanted you to know that my thoughts are with you in this moment of great sorrow.
My deepest sympathies goes to you and your loved one in a very difficult time for you and all of your family.
My sincere condolences
Marco
Ricardo Wolff says
All the best for you Mary. Your friend Ricardo.
Never says
I’m with you Mary. The loss of a person so close is not an easy thing to go through… rely on your family and friends, they are there for you to help you…
Take care of yourself and your family.
Nev
Daniel Beaudoin says
Jerry and Maureen Wesbecher says
Mary,
Please accept our sympathy for your loss. I know you and your father were close. I can remember the story about you wanting him to see the property, you bought in the US, before his condition turned for the worse. I was happy you were able to do this.
All the best to you and your family.
Kelly Shields says
To Mary & Family
I am so sorry for your loss.
May all your beautiful memories bring strength to all of you in this very difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
H̩l̬ne Robert says
i just wanted to extend my deepest sympathies and my sincere condolences to Mary’s family and
friends.
God Bless…
Sue Lanthier says
Sorry to hear about your father who past away sending my sympathies and my condolences to Mary Devenny and her family.
Mike Schmitt says
You have my deepest sympathy in your loss.
Bob & Ellen Bertram says
Carol & Family:
Please accept our sympathy for your loss. Bill was a special person and we loved him. I’ll especially remember his company on the numerous ski trips we took together. He was truly a gentle man and we’ll miss him. We will be unable to attend the funeral because of work commitments but we will be there in spirit.
Love, Bob & Ellen
Michel R. Brazeau says
Mary,
My sympathies to you and your entire family.
My family and I were sorry to hear that your father passed away. In reading his obituary, it summarizes the life of man who lived a full life in all capacities that a man is given – as a father, grandfather, husband and provider. This is a time for sorrow, but tomorrow is a time to celebrate his great life!!
Robert Smoot says
I wish you all the best and extend my personal prayers and thoughts for you during a difficult time.
Margaret Torrina says
Mary,
My sincere condolences to you and your family in the passing of your father. Stay strong for your mother and son.
Alfred Camel says
Hey Mary, I want to express my deepest sympathy to you and your family during this difficult time in your lives.
Suzanne White says
May God’s peace, strength and comfort carry you through this sad time, as you bid farewell to your husband, Dad and best friend.
I will continue to keep you in my prayers. With love, Suzanne
Michel Plouffe representing Ajilon Canada says
To Mary and her family, we offer our sincere condolences on the passing of her father. We appreciate how painful and difficult this time can be for a person when a loved one that was so cherished is no longer there to share everyday experiences. We know a bit of her Dad’s life and loves from the stories that Mary shared with us where he seemed larger than life in her eyes.
We wish Mary and her family members the strength to overcome this current moment of sorrow. One can take some comfort in knowing that invariably this fleeting period of mourning will be followed by a lifelong appreciation and fond memories of her father’s contribution to his family, his work and his community.
Frank Coker says
Bill, you will be missed very much. Thank you for spending the time you did with us.
Sam Wann says
I will always have fond many fond memories of my time with Bill, skiing and sailing together, having lunch after the Saturday meeting, discussing politics and life. Bill was and will continue to be a role model for me in how to live a good life.
Bill Broydrick says
My sympathy. I know Bill from tyhe Satruday morning meeting he attended in Milwaukee.
Don & Cindy Whiteley says
Our most sincere sympathies and prayers go with you. May the memories of your father stay gentle on your mind and continue to guide you in the years to come.
Chris Hughes says
Mary;
Please accept my deepest condolences as you deal with the loss of your dear Father. I know he meant a great deal to you and gave you the courage that you took with you when you came here to Canada to accept your challenge here with us.
I am so pleased that I had the opportunity to meet your mom and your dad and even your brothers. Your dad was such an interesting man to talk to over dinner and after golf. Your mom, the sweetheart that she is, was the best golfer in our foursome yet she held back to not show us up.
Please let your mom and your family know that I will keep them in my thoughts and in my prayers.
Mary, stay strong and know we are here for you when you get back!
Tom & Ann Murphy says
Very sorry for your loss. I loved Bill and his contributions to my sobriety
Ken Hughes says
Mary, I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your father.
Ken
Peter Blake says
Mary,
Sorry to hear about the loss of your father.
We are all here for you when you come back.
Take care,
Peter
F. Mike Barrett says
Dear Carol and children,
I shall always remember Bill as a man of faith and a gentleman. Such gifts cannot be destroyed even by death. May God continue to breathe Bill’s spirit upon you and your kin.
May God hold and keep you at this time of loss. With the promise of prayer in fond remembrance, MB
Charlie Glynn says
Bill once stated in a meeting that he was “CIA”. I initially attributed it to his failing mental health and actually thought to myself- poor Bill, he thinks he is a CIA agent, a common delusion. Bill later straightened me out explaining it as “Catholic Irish Alcoholic”. I use it all the time now, often eliciting “poor Charlie” looks from others until I spell it out. Bill was a delight and an inspiration for this CIA! Love, Charlie
Carole Gaboury says
My deepest condolences to Mary and her family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.