“William’s Hangout” Provides Lifetime of Fellowship in Madison County, Illinois

One of Sean Grey’s most vivid memories as a child was looking up through a telescope.

He learned about the constellations and the Greek origins of their names, and he marveled at the beauty – God’s creation – before him.

For Sean, those formative years were marked by time with family, and friends who became family, at The Salvation Army. And there was one constant – Dan Hull, Sr.

In October, Dan will celebrate his 82nd birthday. For more than 75 years, he’s been coming to The Salvation Army – first in Granite City, and now in Alton. “I got myself a pair of binoculars as a child and became fascinated with the stars,” Dan said. And he’s shared that fascination with dozens of children he’s taught at The Salvation Army in Granite City, Illinois, spanning six decades of service. When Dan was 5, he lived in a cold water flat with his parents and six siblings. His uncle and nine cousins lived upstairs. “One of my older cousins would come collect us all on Sundays and we’d go to The Salvation Army. It was the only church in town at the time, and it was the 6th building that went up in Granite City.”

The Salvation Army was established in Granite City in 1923, and the Alton Corps dates back to 1888. Though the original Granite City Corps building no longer stands, the spirit instilled in him and the dedication to serve has stuck with him.

Dan remembers playing volleyball in the newly constructed gymnasium, perhaps trying to impress some of the local girls. He remembers praying with his grandfather and asking God to make him taller. “And, it worked!” joked Dan.

When Dan reached young adulthood, he began working at Granite City Steel as a heater in the rolling mill. He worked there for over 40 years. The four-story control room, which was affectionately called “the pulpit” by Dan and his colleagues, contained multiple furnaces that took over 16 hours to heat up and reach the 2,250-degree temperatures required to mold the steel.

“There’s a lot of chemistry that goes into it,” Dan said. “You had to be aware of the metal and whether it was hard or soft and how it would react. When I got that job, they gave me three days of ‘break-in,’ but the job description said it would take a full year to learn. So, I did a lot of praying on that job. The Lord is the only thing that got me through the mill.”

When Dan started volunteering with The Salvation Army, he began as a driver for the Women’s Auxiliary members – transporting them back and forth from their homes to the corps. Eventually, he was asked to take on the position of Corps Sargeant Major (CSM) – a lay, volunteer leader. He went on to serve in that role for 47 years.

As CSM, Dan did just about anything that needed to be done. He’s helped out with character building and soldiership classes. He counted kettle donations late into the evenings during the Christmas season. He taught Sunday school and did photography.

At the 360 Life Center in Granite City today, large group photos grace the walls. Many of them depict a young Sean Grey – the man who Dan taught about the constellations.

“Dan took most of those photos,” Sean said. “He is an example of faith and commitment. The way he cares about people and cares for their spiritual wellbeing is a testament to his character.”

Today, Dan is still ministering and teaching soldiership classes, while his wife, Angie, has taken his place teaching Sunday school.

In April 2025, Dan was recognized for his 60+ years of exceptional service at the annual Volunteer Luncheon and Appreciation event.

“I am here to serve God,” Dan said. “The Bible tells us that God has made us for good works. To find out what those good works are, there’s no better place than The Salvation Army.”

Dan has three children, one of which became a Salvation Army Officer. Major Dan Hull, Jr. is divisional secretary and area commander in Des Moines, Iowa, alongside his wife, Major Jolene.

Just as Dan Jr. was called to serve, so was Sean.

Major Sean Grey is now pastor and corps administrator in Madison County, Illinois, overseeing both the Alton Corps Community Center and the 360 Life Center in Granite City, alongside his wife, Major Cassy. “I fought it a little bit at first,” Major Sean said. “I wanted to be a police officer, and then at one point, I wanted to be a musician. But I believe God has called me to ministry. He really grabbed a hold of me at Salvation Army Youth Councils one year and said ‘this is where I want you.’ I still sing and play guitar – and I have the officer title.” Sean is the youngest of five children, and his parents were Salvation Army officers.

An older brother and sister still live in the Granite City area. Another sister who lived near Camp Mihaska in Bourbon, Missouri, has passed away. There’s a tree planted in the hatchery at Camp in her honor. And another brother lives in Virginia and attends church services at The Salvation Army in Alexandria.

“I’m excited about being back in the corps where I grew up, and about the growth we’re seeing,” said Major Sean. “In Granite City, we’ve started a Bible study on Wednesday nights, and in January, we’ll be expanding our music school.”

The Men’s Club in Madison County is also growing. On a typical Thursday evening, eight or nine men come together at The Salvation Army in Alton for fellowship, and often a friendly game of pool.

Dan arrives for Men’s Club with a Bible in hand. The first Bible he bought as an adult. Its pages are littered with notes and a crocheted bookmark in the shape of a cross – made by his mother – is tucked at the front of the book of Genesis.

“I would play pool, but the balls don’t go where I want them to go,” Dan laughed.

Others huddle around a table for conversation, a soda and snacks. Nothing terribly profound – simply, building community. Four times a year, they all enjoy dinner out with their spouses.

The men who joined this Thursday evening called it “William’s Hangout” – named for Salvation Army Founder and General William Booth.

“If he were still alive, he’d be sitting alongside us and playing pool with us in the basement,” Dan said. “More people ought to join. We’d love to see some younger people in the congregation.”

Major Sean added, “My hope would be for the Life 360 Center to become a corps again someday.”

His aspirations cause him to turn back to the stars. He shared, “It’s amazing to see how bright they can be, even though they’re so far away.”

When we think of the families and individuals The Salvation Army serves, a parallel becomes clear. Although we might be able to see an end goal, shining bright light a star in the sky, it can sometimes feel very far away. But just being able to see it and know that it’s there, is reason to have hope. That is what The Salvation Army is all about.