Independence, NY — Ronald William Hall, 74, passed away Saturday, January 27, 2024, at home with family at his side. He was born on September 4, 1949, in Wellsville, the son of the late Archie Hall and Helen (Rogers) Hall. In 1976 he married Arlene Lewis, who predeceased him in 2006.
Ron graduated from Whitesville Central School in 1968, he then went to work for Joyce Pipeline Company. When that job came to an end, he started working for the Town of West Union plowing snow and doing road work. In 1971 he was offered a job one night when he was at the “Cow Palace” to become a “worm” for a drilling company that was drilling near home in Arkport, NY. This country boy took the leap, not knowing it would take him to multiple states, and often several hours from home. This decision was the beginning of an almost 50-year career in the oil and gas industry. Working for multiple companies, such as Delta Drilling, Fairman Drilling, Nabors, Lang Brothers, Union Drilling, East Resources, JKLM, and the Hall Group. He started as a worm and worked every position on the drilling rig. He hired many guys from his hometown area, several made a career out of it, and Ron always prided himself on opening doors and helping others get their foot in the door.
In 1983 he purchased a farm in Whitesville. This was a prideful moment for Ron. He was a farmer at heart and valued his upbringing on a farm. He wanted his kids to have the same experience as he did. His parents and a couple of his beloved nephews spent a lot of time helping to build this dream Ronald had. He had a huge heart when it came to animals and was an excellent herdsman. He loved that his son continues to farm on the property and is raising his children there. Three generations of Hall’s on this farm felt like a huge accomplishment for Ron.
In 2019, Ronald retired as a consultant for the Hall Group and spent his days farming, hunting, driving around the countryside, often hauling the Amish, and spending time with family and friends, helping as many people as he could. Ronald spent most of his retirement playing a large role as a grandpa. He was “Bop Bop” to Vanessa, Gage, and Laura and “Big Papa” to Sulivan. Jake just called him “Ronnie.”. He was a devoted son, husband, dad, uncle, and grandfather. Ronald and Arlene opened their home to many people over the years, sometimes these stays added up to years and sometimes months, however long their home was needed or wanted there was a place to stay. Two of these long-term stayers are his relative Bruce Stevens and his granddaughter Christy Lee. Bruce and Christy and therefore their families, have had a special relationship with Ronald.
An avid hunter, throughout his childhood and adult years, he loved to hunt small and big game, but white tail deer and coyotes were his favorite. He loved watching college and professional football on tv and was a die-hard Bills fan. Known for his own basketball skills, when his playing days were over, he loved watching basketball. He instilled this love for basketball in both of his kids and for years watching college basketball on TV has been a bond they share. He was so proud to watch his granddaughter Vanessa in her first year of college basketball. He was an incredibly giving person, truly the type of guy that would give the shirt off his back to anyone. He loved adventure, spending time with people, had a great love for music, was a huge jokester who was always up for a fun time, and he always wanted to make life better for others.
He is survived by: two children, William (Jane) Hall and Hollie (Todd Nelson) Hall; four step-daughters, Diane (Kellogg) Bledsoe, Shirley (Kellogg) Cramer, Patricia (Kellogg) Johnson, and Nancy (Kellogg) Whatley. He had 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; sister, Donna (Wayne) Stebbins; brother, Garry (Lynn) Hall; sister-in-law, Cindy Hall; as well as several close loved ones. In addition to his parents and wife, he was predeceased by: his brother Roger Hall, his sister Nancy (Hall) Coleman, brother-in-law Hugh Coleman, nephew Thomas “Tommy” Coleman, and great nephew David Stoddard.
The family will hold a celebration of life for Ronald at a later date. There is no doubt that the world lost a great man, and his family wants to take time to grieve before celebrating his life and who he was for so many people.
Please consider memorial donations to Allegany County Cancer Services, P.O. Box 534, Wellsville, NY 14895; and/or The Greenwood American Legion, 2642 Main Street, Greenwood, NY 14839.
To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com
