AHOSKIE – William Thomas Hall, age 79 of Ahoskie, died Monday, April 18, 2011 at Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville.

Mr. Hall was born February 11, 1932 in Bertie County to the late William Joseph Hall and Ada Joyner Hall.

He was a loving and devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather; he enjoyed camping, cooking, fishing and traveling.

He was a 1950 graduate of Aulander High School where he played varsity sports, lettering in football, basketball and baseball.

Thomas proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War, serving two tours in Korea, and upon returning to the States he became an expert auto body repairman. He was employed by Chas. H. Jenkins & Co. in Aulander, Freeman Chevrolet in Ahoskie and Tri-County auto repair in Aulander.

Mr. Hall’s love and dedication to his hometown was evidenced by his numerous community service activities. He was one of the founders and a charter member of the Aulander Volunteer Rescue Squad where he served as Captain for many years and was a certified Emergency Medical Technician. He was a past member of the Aulander Volunteer Fire Department where he served many years as Chief of the department; a past member of the Bertie County Fire Protection Association where he served a term as Vice President; a past member of the Aulander Ruritan Club where he served as President and Secretary of the Aulander club and was a District Zone Governor; a member of Woodmen of the World, past president of the Aulander camp; and a faithful member of Liberty Free Will Baptist Church, serving as a Deacon, cook, carpenter and grass mower.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of sixty years, Emily Brantley Hall of the home; a daughter, Tommie H. Oppegaard and husband, Lee, of Wilmington; a son, Barry Dean Hall and wife, Patricia, of Ahoskie; a sister, Peggy H. Stoffregen and husband, Bill, of Raleigh; a grandson, Eric Thomas Oppegaard of Connecticut; a granddaughter, Amanda Elizabeth Hall of Ahoskie; a step granddaughter, Paula Brabble of Ahoskie; numerous nieces and nephews and a loving church family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 22, 2011 at Liberty Free Will Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Highland Memorial Gardens. Rev. Paul Ange and Rev. Glen Batten will officiate.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Garrett-Jones Funeral Home in Ahoskie and other times at the home. Memorials can be made to Liberty Free Will Baptist Church, PO Box 972, Ahoskie, NC 27910 or to the American Cancer Society, 930 Wellness Dr # B, Greenville, North Carolina 27834

Friends and family may send online condolences to www.garrettjonesfh.com.

Garrett-Jones Funeral Home is serving the Hall family.