Obituary of William J. Hall

William J. “Bill” Hall (Coach), 91, of East Main St passed away at home on Tuesday, December 5, 2017 surrounded by the comfort of his family, following a battle with Alzheimer’s Disease and other illnesses. Bill was born in in Binghamton NY on July 4, 1926, the son of Floyd W. Hall and Katherine Sheehan.

Bill was a member of the Binghamton North High School Class of 1945. He was an active student at North High as member of Student Council, Basketball and Football teams. Upon graduation he served in the Army Special Troops from 1945 to 1946 as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division.

After his service with the Army, Bill attended Alfred University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in History and was a student athlete for the varsity football team. Bill was very proud that he played both sides of the football during the Alex Yuneivch era and was a member of the 1951 team that ended St. Lawrence University’s 18 game winning streak.

It was during his time at Alfred University where he met his wife, Jeannine Crandall.  Jeannine and Bill married on May 15, 1954. They went on to have four children together. Bill began his working career at Corning Glassworks and shortly after worked as registrar at Alfred Ag Tech.  He will be most remembered for his title “Mr. Hall” and “Coach” at Canisteo Central High School. He was passionate in his positions as a high school history teacher and starting 1965 head coach of the varsity football team. In 1966, Bill and Jeannine relocated to Canisteo to pursue their careers and raise their family - which also included many varsity football players.

Bill and Jeannine heavily invested themselves in their community in Canisteo. Bill, as the head football coach and of other teams at different times, had many meaningful moments with his extra “sons.” The door was always open, whether in school or at home. You would often find the team at the house, watching film, sharing a meal and even babysitting his children.

He was a true coach and worked diligently to improve.  Bill lead some of the most successful seasons for the football program in Canisteo High School history and retired from coaching in 1980.

In 1981, he opened up a clothing store on Main Street in Canisteo called the Hall Closet. This would be where you could find him after he retired from teaching in 1990. You were always welcome to come in visit and have a cup of coffee.

Bill’s passion was to help others - whether it was his family, his guys on the football field, students in the classroom, you name it - he was there to help. He just loved people. He loved to make them smile and laugh with a joke, a witty remark, or a nickname (which some of you still use those original nicknames today). He enjoyed, golfing, crossword puzzles, scouting trips with Wayne Hartman & Paul Thurkins, Friday night cards at the Jamison’s house, cookies and Klondike Bars. His love for teaching and coaching was his way of mentoring his students and players, Bill would be the first to let people know his greatest accomplishment was his family. He loved his wife, his children, but his world were his 5 grandchildren. He willingly became their babysitter, their taxi, their biggest fan and most important their Grandpa Hall! They will be forever grateful for his love and guidance.

In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by his wife Jeannine C. Hall , July 24, 2017 and a sister, Beverly J. Hall.

Bill is survived by his 4 children, Christopher (Marina Arold) Hall of Attleboro, MA., Stephen Hall of Almond, Mark (Edna) Hall of Hornell, and Lisa (Jeff) Ryan of Canisteo. The joys of his life, his 5 grandchildren: Brett Ryan of Charlotte, N.C., Bryce Ryan (Morghan Mastin) of Cuba, Raegan Ryan of Houghton, Tyler Hall of Alexandria, V.A., Slade Ryan of Canisteo, some very special friends, former students and football players.

The family will be present to receive friends at the Canisteo American Legion, 61 West Main St., Canisteo,on Thursday, December 28, 2017 from 5:30 - 9:30 pm where a memorial service and reception will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Canisteo Greenwood Booster Club ℅ Bridget Mayorga 55 Maple St Canisteo NY 14823.