Rev. William “Bill” J. Hamel
MINNEAPOLIS — Rev. William “Bill” J. Hamel, 71, was greeted by his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, after a six-week battle with liver cancer. He was surrounded by his beloved wife and daughters at his home in Minnesota, where he had also been lovingly cared for by them.
Bill is survived by his wife of 50 years, Karen (Holleen) Hamel; daughters, Krista (David) Masterson and Kari (Eric) Berglund; five grandchildren, Ian, William and Linnea Masterson, and Emma and Ethan Berglund; siblings, Dr. Peter (Beverly) Hamel, Dr. Timothy (June) Hamel and Wilma (Rev. Peter) Akright; and many relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, J. Peter and Jayne Hamel; and a grandchild, baby Berglund.
Bill was born on July 30, 1947, in Marquette, to J. Peter and Jayne (Berklund) Hamel and grew up on the family farm in Fence, Wis. In second grade, Bill accepted Jesus as his Savior, choosing to stay in from recess at summer vacation Bible school to learn more about Christ’s saving grace.
When Bill was in sixth grade, the Hamel family moved to Clintonville and then New London in Wisconsin. Just before his junior year, they moved to Stanley, Wis., where Bill graduated from Stanley-Boyd High School, Class of 1965.
Bill loved playing football during his high school and college years. In 1989, he graduated from Wheaton College with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. During his senior year, Bill decided to answer his call to ministry and to continue his education at Trinity Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill., graduating cum laude with a Master of Divinity Degree in 1972. In the spring of 1998, he received two honorary Doctorate degrees from Trinity International University and Trinity Western University.
Bill met Karen in Stanley at an EFCA church plant. Both of their parents were charter members of the newly formed Faith Evangelical Free Church. On Aug. 10, 1968, Bill and Karen were married at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Stanley. They were later blessed with two precious girls, Krista Joy and Kari Elise.
In later years, Bill became a proud Opa and relished every moment with his five grandchildren, especially raising them up as the next generation of Green Bay Packer fans.
Bill’s life as a pastor began in 1972 at West Bloomington Evangelical Free Church (CrossPoint) in Bloomington, Minn. He shepherded this congregation until 1986, when he became district superintendent of the EFCA Midwest District for Kansas and Nebraska. Returning to Minnesota in 1991, Bill became the Executive Vice President of the Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) at the denomination’s national office in Bloomington. After serving as Interim president for one year, Bill was elected president of the EFCA in July 1997, and continued to faithfully serve for 18 years until his retirement in 2015.
Since retiring, Bill continued to mentor other pastors and staff as part-time Pastor of Leadership Development at Trinity Church in Lakeville, Minn., where he also served as the interim lead pastor from from March 2017 to April 2018.
Bill’s faithful service to others extended beyond his role within the EFCA. He served on numerous boards throughout his career: EFCA North Central District, Camp Shamineau, Elim Homes, Elim Care, Elim Care/Augustana Merger, University of Northwestern-St. Paul, the National Association of Evangelicals, World Relief, Trinity University and Trinity Western University.
However, Bill’s life was best defined by the people whom he loved and served. He always felt that the Lord had given him a deep passion to lead all people in their faith. Bill took true interest into the lives and struggles of others and great joy in mentoring pastors (something he continued to do even in his final weeks).
His love and compassion was felt by all who knew him. Bill had an infectious smile, a love for people from all ethnicities and walks of life, an undying commitment to the local church and a passion for multiplying disciples. His leadership will not be forgotten and his legacy will be evident through the lives of those who have learned from him.
Visitation will be 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, and from 9:30 to 10:40 a.m. Friday, Aug. 24. A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 11 a.m Friday.
All events will be at Trinity Church: 10658 210th Street West, Lakeville, Minn.
Interment will be handled by Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, and will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 27 at Hillside Cemetery in Fence.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The William J. Hamel All People Fund (Evangelical Free Church of America 901 East 78th, St. Minneapolis, MN 55420) or Trinity Church (10658 210th St. W. Lakeville, MN 55044).
If you would like to send a card to the Hamel family, please send to either address noted above.
You may light a candle in remembrance of Bill or leave a condolence for his family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.
The family has chosen the Jacobs Funeral Home, Iron Mountain, to honor Bill’s legacy of life.