Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a short distance from Independence and Carpenter Halls, Bill's life was influenced early by the historic themes of the documents and books both housed and written there. His childhood education began at the knee of his mother and at Willow Grove Christian Day School and later at public schools in Florida and Maryland. In 1981, after having attended several colleges and universities, public, military and private, he completed his B.A. through the University of Maryland,Adelphi. He continued social work/theological graduate education in four seminaries without taking a terminal degree. Clinical Pastoral Education was inspirational. His desire has been to be viewed as a plain helping servant. Bill has been described as Augustinian, having vowed during time spent in Rome, Italy in 1978 to live a life of poverty and simplicity.
Known among colleagues as a Christian social-critic, his first employment was as an attendant in a nursing home, later a state government social caseworker, airman, newspaperman, an educator, college chaplain, church minister and, in semi-retirement, a National Park Service Seasonal Ranger and consulting minister. He is Pastor Emeritus of Faith Fellowship Church of Uniontown, Pennsylvania. His most valued titles are servant and friend.
Ordained by a Christian Association, his service as mediator, consultant and inspirational speaker has spanned across many Christian denominations and his life-experience shared with persons of the Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist religions. "We all need each other" is his mantra. He enjoys bringing new insight to the themes of the Christian Bible.The Times Argus newspaper of Vermont captured the essence of his spirit well when it wrote in 1996, "The Pastor, as he calls himself, tells fascinating tales of everyday people from Main Street, U.S.A. and from the farm. He notes changing attitudes as both Americans and young adult hostellers from abroad express concern about America losing her legacy of freedom. Haslam shares his experiences in a 'Grand, Fatherly' tone eliciting both laughter and an occasional tear." Inspiration and hope go hand in hand. Some "yellow brick road" and some "harsh reality" pepper his sharing during question and answer periods and almost always conclude with a warm feeling, knowing that you have experienced lived spiritual moments and that our future includes yet another, clearer way of thinking for living. Sermon discussion groups can easily last an hour after worship.
" We at Rotary want to thank you for your excellent sermon on the WW II Chaplains
of different faiths who gave their lives in the sinking of the Dorchester . We were surprised you had so thoroughly researched the topic. We believe in being examples as persons of faith. "
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" The women of the sorority thank you for making homecoming special by your patriotic theme at the dinner. Our parents loved it. "
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