William James "Bill" Hale, 94, of Akeley, PA, passed away on Thursday, December 31, 2015, at the John & Orpha Blair Hospice. Bill was born May 22, 1921, in Salamanca, N.Y. He was the son of the late Lester J. and Hazel H. (Marker) Hale. Bill was a 1939 graduate of Russell High School, and had attended Alfred University in Jamestown, NY, for two years. He served in the US Army during World War 11 in the Pacific Theatre as a Chemical Laboratory Assistant. From 1945 to 1993, Bill had owned and operated Hale's Red and White in Akeley, PA. He was a member of the Cable Hollow Community Church; a life member of the Pine Grove Lions Club; life member of the NRA; and was a long time member of the Russell Volunteer Fire Department, joining in 1937. Bill also enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping and bowling. He is survived by his wife, June M. Hale, whom he married November 12, 1975; three step-children, Gerry B. Joy, and wife, Pam, Pompano Beach FL, James E. Joy, and wife, Carolyn, Loxahatchee, FL, and Kathy M. Joy Hoffner, Erie, PA; one sister, Vivian Munson, Bradenton, FL; one step-granddaughter, Amy Joy Robinson, and husband, Mark, Pittsburgh, PA; one step-great-granddaughter, Morgan Joy, Pittsburgh, PA; one nephew, Gregg Garrison, Lisbon Falls, ME; four nieces, Ginny Reynolds, Bradenton, FL, Lynn Gatts, Massillon, OH, Pamela Gareri, Canton, OH and Leslie Medina, Ocala, FL. He is also survived by several step-grandchildren, great-nieces and nephews, demonstrating it's love, not just biological ties, that really makes a family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Virginia Simonsen. Burial at Hale Cemetery will be private, and at the convenience of the family. A celebration of Life Service will be published at a later date. Memorial Contributions may be made to Russell Fire Hall, Perrigo Lane, Russell, PA, 16345; Pine Grove Lions Club, P.O. Box 488, Russell, PA, 16345; or Cable Hollow Community Church, 3157 Cable Hollow Road, Russell, PA, 16345. The Peterson-Blick Funeral Home, Inc. has been entrusted with arrangements.