William James Hanna

Mr. William James (Jim) Hanna, age 86, of Abbotsford, British Columbia passed away on Wednesday April 16, 2025. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Patricia (Pat) LaVerne Hanna (nee Lloyd) in November of 2023.

Jim, aka “Jungle” Jim, was born on July 30, 1938, in Shelburne Ontario. The family moved to Toronto around 1949. He attended Kew Beach Elementary School and Danforth Technical High School. He married the love of his life, Patricia LaVerne Lloyd, on April 18th, 1959, and they bought their first house not long after. He worked various jobs that included as a glass cutter and a transit driver for the Toronto Transit Commission. He was overjoyed with the birth of his two daughters, Susan, and Mori-Lynn. In the winter of 1973, the family left Toronto, taking an extended trip through the Southern United States, and settling in Abbotsford BC in the spring of 1974. Jim briefly worked for a private bus company after arriving but was hired on at the City of Abbotsford driving for the sanitation department, where he met life-long friends.

Jim had a long history of volunteer work; his most challenging being as a member of the Abbotsford Volunteer Fire Department at Firehall #6 where he became interested in working with the Muscular Dystrophy Association and was where he first played Santa Claus at firehall events. He played this part for decades at City of Abbotsford events and at the children’s ward at the Abbotsford hospital. The preemies at the neo natal ward touched his heart every year. He coached minor softball, men’s slo-pitch, men’s hockey and played several seasons in old-timer’s hockey as a goaltender. He umped slo-pitch and volunteered at a BC Summer Games.

Jim was inducted into the Order of Abbotsford in 2010 in large part due to his volunteer achievements. He thoroughly enjoyed attending official events related to the Order.

Jim was a proud family man, in addition to his daughters Jim was blessed with 3 grandchildren, Alex Jurczak, Clair Sayce and Stuart Sayce as well as 2 great grandchildren, Luke Sahota-Jurczak and Milan Sahota-Jurczak.

Jim was the oldest of 6 children. He was survived by sisters Ann Epp (Jack), Pat Abbott, and Wanda Groke and predeceased by siblings Florence Stephenson (Jim) and John Hanna (Linda). He was also close with many cousins and had some great friends.

A celebration of life will occur on Saturday June 7th at Evergreen Village, 31955 Old Yale Road, Abbotsford BC, V2T 2C8, in the Community Room. Please feel free to drop in between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm if you wish to celebrate his life with his family.