William “Bill” Lawrence Hastings Jr. died at home in Hampton Bays, surrounded by his children and friends, on November 28, 2018. He was 83.
Born in New York City on January 8, 1935, to Alice and Larry Hastings, he served in the U.S. Army from January 1958—stationed in Germany—until he was honorably discharged on December 23, 1959. He was offered a minor league baseball contract with the San Francisco Giants, but being a diehard Brooklyn Dodgers fan, and due to family commitments, he remained at home. He worked for his family’s sheet metal business, in the mortgage and insurance service fields and started his own business in later years.
Mr. Hastings enjoyed boating, fishing, baseball, music, birds, and loved spending time with friends and family. He built his own house and worked tirelessly with his wife, Ruth, to make it more beautiful every day. His commitment to family ran deep and he was always willing to listen and consider others.
Survivors said he raised his children to be smart, hardworking and empathetic people, to have a positive impact on others, as he did.
Mr. Hastings is survived by his sister, Alice and husband Thomas LaBue; his children, William Hastings III, Kimberly Sue Hastings and Allison Hastings-Allan (Alex), Richard Rayburn (Lyvier), Lori Rayburn, (Mike) Victoria Rayburn; and grandchildren, Hannah, Emma and Ethan Berg, and Jacob and Lea Rayburn and Joshua Clendenning. He was predeceased by a grandchild, Nicholas.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Scott-Rothwell Funeral Home in Hampton Bays.