Bill Hallam

Jan. 22, 1939 -
Oct. 7, 2011

Bill Hallam (Ron Dempsey), 72, passed away in his home in Winnemucca on Oct. 7, 2011 after a four year battle with cancer. He was born to Paul and Lola Dempsey in Hannibal, Mo. He is survived by his wife of 42 years Vicki; children Vince, Mike, Cindy, Sherri, Ronnie, and Matt; mother Lola Dempsey; siblings Pauline Rucker, Cathy Friday, and Paul Dempsey. He also leaves behind 14 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces.
Preceded in death by his father Paul Dempsey; brothers Jack Dempsey and Joe Luna; grandson Shawn Aaron Dempsey.
Anyone who came to know Ron came to understand his love and admiration for music. He started singing as a young child, idolizing Elvis Presley. In 1977, he put his love for music to use as a lead singer in a country rock band. The band played in clubs around the Portland area touching the hearts of his audience using the tools God had given him. Not only was his voice exceptionally beautiful, but also when he sang, he sang using all of his heart and displayed every type of emotion to tell the story of each individual song. In 1982, his band "Night Time Country" were playing consistently in four different clubs, he would fill-in as lead singer for other bands, and would also do weddings.
Ron not only had a devotion to music. His family was the most important thing in his life. He was always good for some wise advice and straightforward reality bites. It was always important to Ron that his family was taken care of. In 1983, he was given a job opportunity of a lifetime at Westinghouse, later known to be Northrop Grumman, in Sunnyvale, Calif., as a heat treater. He took great pride in this accomplishment and it became a major turning point in his life. 
After 18 years with this company, he was able to support the family as well as his toys. After his retirement in 2001, he took advantage of his hard work by enjoying boating, fishing, camping, and just living out in the country. This was Ron's idea of how retirement should be lived. Our hearts and our lives were touched by every experience we were blessed to be involved in with him.
Ron, your song is over, but your melody will forever play in our hearts. We love you and miss you dearly. Your work on earth does not go unnoticed as you were appreciated in all that you were and all you helped us become.
Funeral services for William Hallam will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 15, at FitzHenry's Carson Valley Funeral Home, 1380 Highway 395, Gardnerville, Nev., 89410.  There will be a reception immediately following the service.
We would like to thank Pastor Forrest Newton for his caring, comfort, and spiritual guidance. We would also like to express our gratitude to Cindy Michael, and Sherri Smith from Humboldt Volunteer Hospice for all of their support during Ron's final days.