William F. Hamel Sr. ’66

William F. Hamel Sr. ’66 died on July 21, 2018, in Richland, Washington.

(The following was published in the The News & Citizen on September 20, 2018):

The Rev. William “Bill” Hamel Sr., 85, died Saturday, July 21, 2018, at Kadlec Hospital in Richland, Wash., after a period of failing health.

He was born in Boston Oct. 22, 1932, son of Winfield J. Hamel and Grace D. Jenkins.

Bill graduated from Burdett College in Boston in the fall of 1953 with a business degree. He worked for John Hancock Insurance Co. before entering Bangor Theological Seminary in 1960.

Bill met his wife, Patricia Finch, in 1960 while at the seminary and they married in June 1961.

Bill earned a master’s degree with honors in 1966 and was ordained in the United Church of Christ, serving as a fully ordained minister for over 50 years. Bill served congregations in Connecticut, Florida, Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Ohio. Bill inspired and touched many in his work in the Christian faith and will be dearly missed.

Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Patricia; and a son, William F. Hamel Jr.

A son, Jon Christopher Hamel, died in 1998.

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