William 'Bill' Hale

BILL HALE William F. "Bill" Hale, Sr., son of Carlos Jule and Helen Elizabeth Smith Hale was born October 21, 1948 in The Presidio, of San Francisco, California. He departed this life Friday, August 24, 2012 in his home, in Camdenton, Missouri, at the age of sixty-three years, ten months, and three days. On June 21, 1986, Bill was united in marriage to Susan Elaine Kinast, and together they shared the past twenty-six years. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; a sister who passed away in infancy; and his father and mother-in-law, Ozzie and Marian Kinast. He is survived by his wife, Susan of the home; children, Cauleen Murphy and husband Troy of Buffalo, Missouri, William Hale, Jr. and wife Machelle of Camdenton, Missouri, and A.J. Hale of Kansas City, Missouri; grandchildren, Lindsey Wyatt and husband Thom, Nick Hale, and Cassie Hale; a great-granddaughter, Eloise Wyatt; a cousin, Marjie Smith of Camdenton, Missouri; his first wife, and mother of Cauleen and William, Jr., Janet Leap Hale; as well as a number of nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and many dear friends. Bill was born in California and spent time living in various locations throughout the world while his father was enlisted in the United States Army. Following in his father's footsteps, Bill enlisted in the United States Army immediately following his graduation from Hinkley High School, Aurora, Colorado. He proudly served during the Vietnam War and was stationed in Germany. Bill was honorably discharged from the Army in 1969. He moved to the Camdenton area in 1970. He worked on ambulance crews from 1970 to 1980. He also joined the Camden Rural Fire Department as a Volunteer Firefighter in 1972 and quickly attained the rank of Assistant Fire Chief. Bill was an integral part of the formation of the City of Camdenton Fire Department and maintained his rank of Assistant Fire Chief until his retirement in 2001. Bill served the City of Camdenton for over thirty years as a Volunteer Firefighter and Assistant Fire Chief. He was also an instructor at the University of Missouri Fire Rescue Training Institute. Bill went to work with the Forestry Department of the Missouri Department of Conservation in 1970 as a seasonal hourly firefighter and within a short time, became a full time clerk dispatcher. Bill transferred to the Lebanon office and became the Federal Excess Property Program Coordinator. He helped write a national supply program for Rural Fire Departments through the Federal Excess Property Program which supplied Rural Fire Departments with fire trucks and other items needed to help protect their districts. He later transferred to the main office in Jefferson City where he worked in the IT Department of the Department of Conservation, retiring in 2003 after 33 years with the department. Bill had accepted Christ at an early age. He was very dedicated to his church, Lake Presbyterian, and served in various capacities. He sang in the choir, served as an Elder and as Clerk of Session for 10 years and was also active in the Presbytery. Bill was a caver and was a member of the Lake Ozarks Grotto, and enjoyed camping and canoeing in his younger years. He was a skilled computer programmer and built several computers from his home. He was always willing to learn something new. He enjoyed telling jokes and had a great sense of humor. He centered his life on his family and made it a point to never miss a sporting event of his children or grandchildren. Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. He dedicated his life to the safety of his community and for that we thank him. We celebrate the many wonderful memories he has created for his family and many dear friends. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, August 29, 2012 in Community Christian Church, Camdenton under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home. Burial will be in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Lake Presbyterian Church and left at the funeral home of the church the day of the service. Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home of Camdenton is assisting the family with arrangements.