William Nelson Hall

Judge William Nelson Hall, Jr., (aka "Bill" "The Colonel" "Gatorade" "Too Late") 78, Reading, PA, passed away Tuesday, January 23, 2018, at St. Joseph Medical Center. Bill was born on October 3, 1939 in York, PA; he was the oldest of 11 children to Gladys (Hall) Newson and William Hall Sr.

Bill's love for sports began at an early age; his father used to take him to professional baseball games where he met and got to know Frank Howard, the great outfielder for the Washington Senators. Bill loved basketball, football, and tennis which he played in the Army. He taught tennis, and was a P.I.A.A. Basketball Official, A.S.A. Softball Official, a member of the local P.A.L., Y.M.C.A., and the Olivet's Boys and Girls Club.

Bill was also a retired Reading City Police officer after 23 years of service. Bill is affiliated with the local Kiwanis Service club and many other organizations in the Reading, PA area.

When told he was drafted by his Uncle Sam into Military Service in March of 1963, Bill always said "I never knew I had an Uncle Sam!" He trained in Fort Gordon, GA, and served in Okinawa and Hawaii, becoming the top gunner in his division, and one of the best football players in the Army's leagues. He was also a Vietnam veteran.

Bill moved to Reading in 1969, where he became a City policeman. This provided him a unique opportunity to attend Alvernia College, and in less than three years he obtained his undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice. His affection for athletics continued at Alvernia, as he first played on and later coached the College's basketball team.

By the 1980's, Bill's love of education spurred him back to school, where he earned his Master's Degree in Criminal Justice and Science from West Chester University in 1992. He served as a Reading Policemen for over 23 years before becoming a Magisterial District Justice in 1993. He created the African American Magisterial District Judges of Pennsylvania Organization to promote minorities in the judiciary system, and minority education in general.

Above all, Bill's first love was always for people, and he was the ultimate people-person; as judge, policeman and basketball player. He was a faithful, long-time member of St James Chapel, Reading.

In addition to his loving wife, Pattice A. (Hinton) Hall, Bill is survived by six children: William Nelson III, Warner Robins, GA; Robin Lynn Hall, Harrisburg; Michael Tennant, Reading; Gregory Hollis, Warner Robins, GA; Raime Hall, Reading and Tammy Murray-Batts, Reading. Thirteen siblings also survive him: Robert Louis Hall, Brazil; Helen Francis, wife of Robert Davidson, York; Henry Clayton Hall, York; Roland, husband of Liza Lowrie, York; Ruth Ann, wife of Michael Natole, Exeter Twp.; Mary Louise, wife of Thomas Preston, NC; John Saxon, husband of Sharice Hall, Middletown, OH; Curtis Randolf, York; Joseph Newson, York; Timothy Newson, York; Ruby Newson, York; Ruth Walker, York and Angel Moody, York. There are twelve grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. There are three aunts: Henrietta Hardy-Brown, NY Shirley Greenfield, NY and Mary Hinton, King of Prussia. One mother-in-law, Bertha Jones, Norristown, and, two brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins also survive him.

He was predeceased by three siblings: Jeanne L. (Hall) Johnson, Norman R. Hall and Philip E. Hall.

Services will be Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. at St. James Chapel, 11 S. 9th St, Reading, PA 19602. Burial with military honors will be at Fort Indiantown Gap National Cemetery. Friends may call Tuesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading, and Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 at the church. Online condolences may be recorded at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.