William Joseph Neal

William Joseph Neal (Billy Joe), 89, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2018 after a year long battle with cancer. He is preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Patsy Moore Neal, parents: Sophia and Albert Neal, and siblings: Albert Neal, Jere Neal, and Marie Crim. Bill is survived by his children: Lynn Hitner, Jan (Doug) Hamilton, Tricia Neal, and Joe (Zandra) Neal. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Emily Feldman, Duncan (Brittany) Hamilton, Addie Hamilton, Olivia Chan, and Charlie Neal; and great-grandchildren: Lucas, Liam, and Katelynn Feldman and Declan Hamilton.

Bill graduated from West End High School and in 1956 he received a bachelor‘s degree in engineering from Vanderbilt University. He served in the Navy for four years as an electronics technician during the Korean War. Bill spent his career as a civil engineer and retired from South Central Bell. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed hobbies of winemaking, walking at Radnor Lake, and especially time with his family. He was passionate about running, which he started at age 40, and was well-known at all the local running events. He earned many trophies and ran well into his seventies. Bill was a charter and life long member of the Green Hills YMCA. He was a member of Forest Hills Methodist Church, formerly Waverly Place Methodist.

A family burial is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Sunday at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Forest Hills Methodist Church or Friends of Radnor Lake.