William (W.L.) Lamar Hall, Jr.

William (W. L.) Lamar Hall, Jr. went home to be with his Lord, at the age of 83, on August 14, 2022 at Memorial Hospital in Savannah, GA.

W.L. was born in Emanuel County, GA on July 4, 1939 to William Lamar Hall, Sr. and Fannie Merle Bennett Hall. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Joe Bennett Hall. The family moved to Hinesville, GA when he was in the fifth grade. He went through the Liberty County school system and graduated from Bradwell Institute High School in 1957 where he served as the Senior Class President. Throughout his high school years he excelled in a number of sports to include baseball, basketball, football, track and pole vaulting. Upon graduating from Bradwell Institute, he earned a full scholarship to Brewton Parker College and the University of Georgia. He won 14 athletic letters at Bradwell Institute, 4 at Brewton Parker and 2 at the University of Georgia.

He excelled in his athletic programs at both schools. After graduating from the University of Georgia, he signed a bonus contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1961. While with the Los Angeles Dodgers he played for several minor league teams including Atlanta, GA, St. Petersburg, FL, Salisbury, NC, Grand Forks, ND and Albuquerque, NM with the highest league level being Triple A. During his baseball career he led the leagues in shut outs pitched and earned run average. In 1964 he led the Texas League Championship team, Albuquerque Dodgers, in innings pitched, shutouts pitched and was runner up to Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, Don Sutton, in wins, earned run average and complete games and he was selected as Minor League Class A Pitcher of The Year in 1964.

In 1966 he went on voluntary retired service from baseball and worked for the U. S. Postal service in Metter, GA from 1966 to 1967. In 1967 he went to work with the Department of Army at Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield as a Recreation Specialist and during the next 30 years he worked as Sports Director, Outdoor Recreation Director, Assistant Chief and Chief of Community Recreation. He retired from Civil Service in 1996.

In 1999 W. L. was voted into the Brewton Parker College Athletic Hall of Fame and in 2004 he was voted into the Liberty County Athletic Hall of Fame. During his retirement, he served on the Board of Directors of the Fraser Counseling Center in Hinesville for 10 years.

In 1963 he married the love of his life, Lynda Ellis, from Metter, GA. In their early marriage they traveled with the baseball teams, but in 1967 they returned to Hinesville, GA where they raised their two children, Kimberly Hall Slade and Lenny Hall. He was blessed with four grandsons, two great-grandsons and four great-granddaughters.     

W.L. was a long time member of Hinesville First United Methodist Church where he was blessed to have served on numerous boards and committees throughout the years. At the time of his death, he had served as President of the Jack Waller Sunday School Class and President of the Methodist Men’s Fellowship group for a number of years. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer, but he loved his time spent on the family farm in Bulloch County working cows and chickens with his son, Lenny. Most of all he loved spending time with his family and friends.

W.L. was greatly loved and will be truly missed by his loving wife of 59 years, Lynda; his daughter, Kimberly Slade (Morris); his son, Lenny (Casi); four grandsons, Morgan Slade, Ryan Slade (Katie), Clay Hall (Victoria), and Slade Hall (Casey); his six great-grandchildren, McKenzie Slade, Harlyn Hall, The Sladey Bunch including Hunter Slade, Jase Slade, Ana Nickels, and Kinsey Howard; and by his niece, Leah Hall Martin (Chip); and nephews, Allen Hall and Rodney Hall.

Visitation will be from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at Hinesville First United Methodist Church. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 18, 2022 at Hinesville First United Methodist Church. W.L. will lie-in-state for 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. in Lake Cemetery, 26175 Lake Church Road, Metter, GA 30439.

Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel is handling the arrangements. To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit www.carteroglethorpe.com.