Bill Hubbard

Bill Hubbard (Willis McCracken Hubbard) was born September 18,1940 in Monmouth, Illinois. His parents were Mary Jane McCracken and Harold Fay Hubbard. He passed on September 15, 2025 at Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community where he had lived for 12 years.

Bill leaves behind his wife of almost 62 years, Marilyn Kessinger Hubbard, a daughter, Laura Samuels, a son, Evan, a grandson, Lt. Kyle Samuels, and two granddaughters, Kyra and Nina Rose Samuels. He is also survived by his sister, Jane Jones and her husband Barry.

He graduated from Monmouth College in 1962 and received master's degrees from the University of Illinois (Library Science) and Southern Illinois University (Political Science).

Bill was an academic librarian. He began working in the Science Library at Southern Illinois University. He then was the Library Director at the following institutions: Eureka College, Stephens College, Gettysburg College, and Warren Wilson College where, upon retirement, he was named Library Director Emeritus. While at Warren Wilson College he served a term on the Board of Trustees as a staff representative.

Always interested in music and the arts, Bill was on the board of the Diana Wortham Theatre (Wortham Center for the Performing Arts) for many years where he served a term as Chair of the Board of Directors. He and his wife volunteered every week of Warren Wilson College's Swannanoa Gathering for sixteen years. In 2024 they received recognition as Distinguished Volunteers. Bill enjoyed nature and loved planting flowers and reading about nature. Travel was also important and he visited 49 of the 50 states and several foreign countries. He will be remembered for his generosity, kindness, and humor.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, November 15th, at 3:00 in the Blue Ridge Room at Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community in Asheville, NC.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Warren Wilson College, Wortham Center for the Performing Arts, Deerfield Charitable Foundation, Womansong of Asheville New Start Fund or to a charity of your choice.

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