William Headley Hall of Blowing Rock passed away peacefully on Monday, December 2, 2024, at the age of 85. Bill was born January 10, 1939 in High Point, North Carolina and was the only child of Oscar and Neta Hall. He was fortunate to have traveled with his parents many places which fostered his lifelong love of exploration. Following his graduation from Jamestown High School in 1957, Bill married his high school sweetheart Patricia Carroll of High Point and together they started their family of two girls and a boy. After high school he attended North Carolina State College completing a degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
He worked for Carolina Power & Light Company for 12 years as plant manager of Lee Power Plant in Goldsboro. In 1974 Bill moved to Charlotte working for Hayward, Inc. in a successful sales engineer position. While living in Charlotte and working full time he obtained his Masters of Business Administration degree from UNC-Charlotte. Bill moved to Blowing Rock in 1995 and began another career in Commercial Real Estate earning the designation of CCIM. Shortly after moving to Blowing Rock, Pat passed away.
In 1996, Bill was fortunate to meet Marianne Crumpler. In 1999, Bill and Marianne married and began another chapter of life together. They established themselves as engaged members of the Blowing Rock community — buying and developing property (such as the Village Grove). Bill partnered with Marianne to create a store of English antiques — assisting with travel, bookkeeping and brute strength.
Bill served on the Blowing Rock Chamber board a number of years, serving as President in 2007. He also was involved in the economic development efforts during his board tenure. He was actively involved at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church during that time serving on the Session and Properties Committee.
Bill was a “founding father” of the Middle Fork Greenway and was instrumental in moving that concept forward to become a reality. He helped review engineering ideas and aided in the purchase of property and easements for the proposed trails.
Bill continued to enjoy traveling—by air, by train, by motorcycle and by his Air Stream camper affectionately called “Bambi.” He and Marianne enjoyed trips all over the U.S., especially with family members and friends. He fulfilled his 35 year quest of traveling to all 50 states just a few years ago. They also travelled to Ireland, Scotland, England and Nova Scotia.
Bill was a genuine friend to many and made considerable efforts to maintain those friendships over the years. Most years he wrote an annual Christmas letter keeping his nearest and dearest abreast of his family and their activities.
He was a generous, kind soul who remarked many times over the past few years that he had been given a blessed life. Those of us who knew and loved him are saddened by his absence but were indeed blessed by his presence. As many have remarked, we lost a good one.
Bill is survived by his wife Marianne, daughter Holly Pritchard and husband Charley of Luling, Texas, daughter Laurie McDowell and husband John of Morehead City, daughter in law Kathy Hall of Hillsboro, Oregon and step-daughter Catherine Scantlin of Boone. He is also survived by his grandchildren William Ian McDowell, Connor McDowell, Emily Rose Hall of Hillsboro, Oregon, and Grace Scantlin of Boone; and his four legged companion Sally Bee. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife and his son William David Hall.
A service of remembrance will be scheduled in Blowing Rock at a later time. For those who wish to honor Bill, a donation to the Middle Fork Greenway (416 Aho Road, Blowing Rock NC 28605) would help further his efforts.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.
