William “Bill” Barkley Hall, longtime coordinator of Glenside’s 4th of July Parade, passed away on the morning of Thursday, April 4. His passing was peaceful and he was surrounded by loved ones. He was 90 years old.

Mr. Hall was in his 27th year as coordinator, a run that saw his beloved parade grow from a simple afternoon to an “all-day, three-tiered celebration,” as he called it.

“We hope we give the area the best family-friendly outing of the year, and our reputation has grown. In a sense, we’re the Fourth of July capital of the eastern United States, and possibly beyond,” Mr. Hall said in a February 2023 interview with Glenside Local.

A talent agent since the 1960s, Mr. Hall worked with a large number of circus performers, as well as produced circus shows, including the Circus Hall of Fame in Sarasota, Florida. He authored a regular column called “Tanbark Topics” for White Tops, the magazine of the Circus Fans of Association of America.

Mr. Hall was a US Navy veteran “remembered for pioneering entertainment at sporting events, including inventing the NBA halftime show and bringing The Flying Wallendas to Veterans Stadium,” his obituary said. 

His obituary continues:

His deeply patriotic spirit was evident in his promotion, support, and fundraising for Glenside July 4th events, where he played a vital role in fostering community pride.

Bill was actively involved in local politics where he dedicated his time and energy to various political campaigns and initiatives, leaving a lasting impact on the fabric of his community.

Bill also had a profound love for baseball and football, serving as an umpire and referee for Philadelphia high school sports well into his 80s, sharing his passion for the games with generations of athletes.

William is survived by his loving wife, Carol Mallen-Hall, five children, ten grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren and brother. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

A memorial service will be held on April 16 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Glenside, with viewing at 9:30am and a service at 11:00am. 

Donations may be made to the Glenside Parade Fund at https://glensideparade.com/.

For all the latest news, follow us on Facebook or sign up for Glenside Local’s “Daily Buzz” newsletter here.

Photo: lifecelebration.com