William G. (Bill) Hoy has counseled with people in grief for the last 25 years. From 1996 until 2006, Bill directed the bereavement program at Pathways Volunteer Hospice in Long Beach, California. Though no longer living in southern California, Dr. Hoy provides oversight to the agency's counseling program today. As an invited speaker, every year he presents more than 70 continuing education workshops across North America to groups as diverse as school counselors, hospice nurses, funeral service professionals, and pastors. From 1993 until 2004, he taught bioethics, counseling, and death studies on the health science faculty at Cypress College and now teaches in Marian University's graduate program in bereavement.

Bill holds professional membership in the Association for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC) and holds the organization's FT (Fellow in Thanatology) designation. He also chairs ADEC's special interest group on school crisis intervention. His other professional affiliations include the National Council of Hospice and Palliative Professionals, the Society of Pastoral Theology, and the National Coalition of Independent Scholars.

Bill edits GriefConnections, the email newsletter read every month by more than 4,500 caregiving professionals and volunteers and his book, Guiding People Through Grief: How to Start and Lead Bereavement Support Groups is now in its third printing. His newest book, Road to Emmaus: Pastoral Care with the Dying and Bereaved was published in August 2008 and is also now in its third printing. During 2010, his two newest books will be released: Taking Steps on Your Journey Through Grief (July) and Called to Care: Navigating a Life of Care for Others (September). He has written more than 100 journal articles and educational pamphlets dealing with bereavement--for professionals and grieving people alike.

Dr. Hoy and his wife Debbie have two teenagers, Carolyn and Gregory. After nearly 25 years in southern California, the Hoys now make their home in the central Texas community of Crawford.

 

For more information about bringing Bill to your community, please email us.