William R. Hall, Sr.

"Here's to all of you who have loved and supported me all my life. I raise my glass of Guinness as I say goodbye to you and go to a better place, The New Jerusalem, where I am at peace!"

William R. Hall, Sr., was born on August 12, 1942, the son of Richard Hall and Ethel Smith. Bill died peacefully on April 6, 2026.

Bill grew up in Stockbridge and attended the former Williams High School, Berkshire Community College, and the former North Adams State College with degrees in the field of art.

Bill had many loves: family, volunteering, painting, traveling, God, and country.

In 1961 he met the love of his life, Kathy DiGrigoli, at a party. They married in 1965, and had two sons, William R. Hall, Jr., and Shaun Hall. They enjoyed 60 years of marriage. They were blessed with the addition of Shaun's wife, Ella, their four beautiful granddaughters, Liana, Ariana, Natalie, and Isabella, and Bill, Jr.'s husband, Ted. He spent many hours with his family, his brother Jim (Deb) and his many nieces and nephews traveling to theme parks, babysitting, going to lunches, and going to games.

He loved going on cruises with Kathy, first to the Caribbean and then to Europe to seven countries.

He also loved to travel to Italy and Ireland. He and Kathy also enjoyed a trip to Armenia to visit Shaun in the Peace Corp where they had the opportunity to meet Shaun's future wife and family. He loved day trips with Kathy to visit their son Billy in Newport, R.I. and Boston as well as other areas of New England.

Bill enjoyed volunteering in the community, teaching art at St. Mary's School, the Lee Library, the Council on Aging, as well as giving private lessons. Bill enjoyed using acrylics and other media to draw and paint landscapes, portraits, and other styles of artwork. He also had a love of installing equipment and maintaining the five parks in Lee for the youth of the town.

Bill was honored in 2025 when he was the Grand Marshall of the Memorial Day Parade. He was a long-time parishioner of St. Mary, Mother of the Church in Lee. Bill showed his faith through his actions. He enjoyed participating in the services as an usher while also assisting around the church with the curb appeal.

Bill proudly served in the United States Navy from 1963 to 1969. He began his Naval career as a storekeeper on the U.S.S Cromwell where he crossed the International Date Line, and he was initiated into the Ancient Order of the Deep as a Shellback. Bill then served on the U.S.S Fiske-842 where he crossed the Arctic Circle and was honored with the distinction of a Blue Nose. He proudly served during the Vietnam War. During his six years in the U.S. Navy, he traveled around the world seeing many wonderful locations. Bill worked for many years at Mead Specialty Paper - Williow Mill. Bill was a member of the VFW Post 893 and the Sons and Daughters of Italy G. Marconi Lodge 1620.

Bill's family would like to thank the many caregivers who took such wonderful care of him including Berkshire Visiting Nurse Association, Visiting Angels, Elder Services, Fairview Wound Center, Suburban Medical Center, BMC, Northampton Vision Specialists, Lee Fire, Police, and Ambulance, Soldier On, Veterans' Outreach, VFW Post 893, Sons and Daughters of Italy G. Marconi Lodge 1620, Alda Sorrentino and Rhonda Baczek.

Calling hours will be Monday, April 13, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Kelly Funeral Home, Lee, MA. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 14, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary Mother of the Church, Lee, MA. Burial will follow, with Military Honors, at St. Mary's Cemetery on Spring Street, Lee, MA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary's School, Lee, MA, for the robotics and art programs. Checks to St. Mary's School may be mailed in care of Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main Street,