William Thomas Hanna, at the age of 82, passed away Friday, Dec. 10, 2010, in Fort Worth, Texas. He had been a lifelong resident of Chardon until 2007, when he moved to Texas to be with his daughter. William was born March 28, 1928, in Chardon, Ohio to George Ralph and Gwenllyan (Nee: Eynon) Hanna. He graduated from Chardon High School and was a veteran of the US Army, PFC during WWII, serving in the Mediterranean Theatre of Operations. While stationed in Italy for a year, he enjoyed snow skiing. On August 6, 1950, he married Betty Jean “BJ” Truman in Chardon.

Bill attended Baldwin Wallace University where he secured a BBA and a degree in psychology. He was owner and agent for the former Hanna Insurance Agency in Chardon which was started by his father. In 1986, after 35 years, he retired after selling the Agency. He then worked for the A.D. Banker and Company, from 1986 until 1995, educating other insurance agents.

As a lifelong member of the Pilgrim Christian Church, he sang in the choir and served on numerous boards and Chairman of Consistory. Bill was very active in the Chardon community as well: Member and past president of the Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce; Chardon Rotary Club; President of the Chardon Community Day Care; and member and Past Commander of the Chardon American Legion Post 167 where he would be seen at every Memorial Day Ceremony, vigorously directing the public in the singing of patriotic songs.

Both Bill and his wife were active with the Geauga Lyric Theatre Guild, helping as an usher and performing in numerous musical productions. In the production of South Pacific, Bill was “Luther Billis” to his wife’s “Nelly Forbush”.

In his spare time he was an avid golfer, playing at least 2 times a week, loved to travel, and enjoyed watercolor painting.

He is survived by his daughter, Leslie Gwenllyan Hanna (Oscar) Leal; son, Richard E. (Nancy) Hanna: three grandchildren; cousin, Nancy Hanna Rhodes; Thomas Hannaand, Marc (Nan) Burr and Marcia Burr (Kirk) Hopkins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean “B.J.” Hanna, parents, sister, Gene Hanna Cutter, brother, Ralph L. Hanna and cousins Hal Marcus Burr, Dane Burr and Elaine Burr Dunbaugh.

A Private Family Service will be held. His memory may be honored with a gift to the music fund at Pilgrim Christian Church, 202 South Hambden Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024, or to the Kidney Foundation of Ohio, 2831 Prospect Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. Arrangements by Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chardon, OH.