Hal Lewis

Hal Lewis, 74 years, died at home with his family present on July 12, 2007. Born in Port Huron, Michigan, on May 20, 1933. He was the son of Sue and Floyd R. Lewis. His wife, Dene and he were married in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Defiance, Ohio in 1958. Hal was a veteran of the United States Air Force, a graduate with a BA degree from Defiance College and had a Master’s degree in School Administration from Bowling Green State University. During his years at Defiance College, he received an Emmy for his acting, was on the track team, and was elected as vice-president of his fraternity and president of his senior class. An educator in Williams County, he taught English at the Bryan Jr. High for 25 years, where he served as treasurer and president of the Bryan Education Association. He was a member of the Ohio Retired Teachers Association and a life member of the Ohio Education Association and the National Education Association. He was High School Principal at West Unity for one year. While teaching in the Bryan Jr. High, he organized the Bibliophile Group for students and in 1972, initiated a community glass recycling collection with his students. He coached fifth grade boys’ developmental basketball, Jr. High cross country and developmental tennis. Hal was an enthusiastic runner having run numerous 5K, 10K, half and full marathons, including qualifying and running in the Boston Marathon in 1987. He authored a tongue in cheek book, FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK, about running. His articles were published in magazines for runners and he was a guest speaker on the topic. He was a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church. As a pre-theology student at Defiance College, he filled in by conducting services at the Historical Congregational Church in Ridgeville Corners and spoke at the Congregational Church in Bridgetown, Ohio. Surviving him in addition to his wife, are his son, Jonathan H. Lewis and his daughter-in-law, Kathy Batts-Lewis of Oxford, Ohio; a brother, Floyd R. Lewis, Jr. and several nieces and nephews. Arrangements by Krill Funeral Service, Bryan, Ohio. Condolences may be sent to the family through this website www.krillfuneralservice.com. A private memorial service for the family will be held. Memorials may be made to the Bryan Area Foundation, Hal and Dene Lewis Scholarship Fund.