Willard Bill G. Hanson

Born in Minnesota on November 10, 1912, he and his family moved to a farm in Milford in 1915 where they raised livestock and vegetables. Bill first saw the love of his life, Violet Wiest, when he was seven years old. They were married at Atonement Lutheran Church, Oneonta in 1938.

He was a successful agent and manager with Prudential Insurance for 40 years working in Oneonta, Binghamton, Texas and Florida. Bill and Vi moved to Largo, FL in 1966, where they were active members of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, and enjoyed traveling overseas. He was an avid photographer and collected matchbook covers and railroad date nails.

As a proud veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps serving in World War II, a highlight of his life was participating with an Honor Flight group to Washington, DC, just before his 99th birthday.

Always a true gentleman, Bill is remembered for his devotion to God, country and family, his integrity, and his excellent memory.

He is survived by his sister-in-law, Evelyn (Carlton) Wiest-Benjamin and family; many cousins, nieces, and nephews including Ron Hanson of Milford, New York and Largo, Florida, and Annetta Gross of Cocoa Beach, Florida, who had given him much support in his later years.

Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Violet; his three brothers, Hardy, Lester, and Chris; and his three sisters, Alice, Margaret, and Ruth.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, July 5, 2013 at the Bookhout Funeral Home, 357 Main Street, Oneonta. Burial will immediately follow in the Oneonta Plains Cemetery, Oneonta.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Bill’s memory to: Suncoast Hospice, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760 or Atonement Lutheran Church, 1 Center Street, Oneonta, NY 13820.