William Hall

William Douglas Hall was born on August 12, 1929, in Mantua, Alabama. He moved to Cleveland, Ohio, as a young man, following other family members in search of work and better opportunities. Before joining the military in 1951, he was able to buy a truck and began light hauling, as he had learned in Alabama hauling pulpwood.

He met and married his wife of 74 years, Virginia Bush Hall, before leaving to serve in the Korean War. To that union, three children, Daphne, Brian, and Drew, were born. He was a long-time member and Trustee at Lee Seville Baptist Church.

He expanded trucking in the 1960s first as a truck stop owner with his brother-in-law, then as a broker. Later, always with an eye for entrepreneurship, William and his older brother Horace founded Industrial Transport in 1977. As a minority-owned business, they handled over-the-road transportation of steel, refrigerated foods, and various commodities for large companies. They also negotiated contracts with Ford Motor Company and Chrysler to manage trailer switching in the receiving yards. He was a leader in the Cleveland Business League in the 1960s and 1970s.

He also founded the National Minority Trucking Association, which worked with Congressman Parren Mitchell and Senator John Glenn to help deregulate trucking.

William was always aware of the importance of land and homeownership. As early as the late 1950s and early 1960s, he and the Ranaldson brothers defied the odds to purchase land on what became Kollin Avenue, where they built affordable homes for Black residents. William continued to pursue business ventures into the 2000s, building homes in Twinsburg Township and developing properties in Alabama. Mr. Hall's home was in Twinsburg Township, where he was a resident for 45 years.

Although William had many tangible accomplishments, what he enjoyed most was sharing his knowledge and encouraging others in the family and the community. Because of this, he inspired countless people to start businesses, seek training, complete their education, and become involved in improving the lives of others. Family was very important to him, and he stayed connected with relatives near and far through phone calls and visits-until he was no longer able to do so.

He will be remembered by his loving wife, Virginia; his daughter Daphne Booker (Dennis); son Brian Hall (Jackie); daughter-in-law Brenda Bishop; and grandchildren: Devony Wilmot (Bjorn), Dori Jackson, Dawn Jackson, Crystal Hall, Carmen Hall, Christian Hall (Kristina), Tristen Hall, and Monika Mena (Sebastian).

He is also survived by his sisters: Arlillian Morrow, Ruby Harris, Candis McKinney, Cleosene Johnson, and Mary (May) Davis; as well as great-grandchildren: Loren, Dallas, Davis, Kendall, Kassidy, Khloe, Mila, Zoe, and great-great-great-grandchild Acen.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Estella Hall; his brothers, Holly, Horace, and Thornton; his sister, Ozella; his son, Drew Hall; and his grandsons Jordan Hall and Calvin Hall.

"In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations may be made to The Cleveland Foundation, 6601 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44103, Jordan T. Hall Society, William Hall Entrepreneurship Fund."