Author of two dozen books, including several novels, mysteries,
how-to-write books, and one opera libretto.
Professor of English at the University of California at Irvine,
and was head of the writing department for 20 years. He helped
establish the renowned UCI Writing Program and the Squaw Valley Writer's
Workshop.
Earned his bachelor's degree from UC Berkeley, and joined the Marine
Corps during World War II. It was while stationed on Maui awaiting the
invasion of Japan that he began to write in earnest.
Survived by his widow (Barbara E. Hall), his four children (Oakley Maxwell Hall III; May 26, 1950 - February 13, 2011, Sands Hall, Tracy Hall, and Brett Hall-Jones) and seven grandchildren.