- William J. "Bill" Hanson, 97, of Sterling and Kenai passed away Sunday, March 23, 2014 at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna.
Bill was born the son of James E. Hanson Sr. and Anna B. Murray on Thursday, March 1, 1917 in Jamestown, N.Y., where he graduated from high school in 1936.
Bill apprenticed as an electrician with his father before working as a machinist under Andy Huff. He later founded Hanson Tool Company in Jamestown. Bill sold his company in 1960 and retired at the age of 42.
In 1961, Bill moved to Sterling where he perfected being a jack-of-all trades. He was a lifelong member of the Loyal Order of Moose, the Sterling Senior Center and Nikiski Senior Center.
Bill was a master gardener, an avid fisherman, enjoyed hunting, and loved reading, playing cards and jigsaw puzzles.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mary; parents, James and Anna; and brothers, James Jr. and Paul Hanson.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Sue Coup and husband, Joe of Nikiski; granddaughter, Michelle Postema and husband Steve of Houston, Texas; great-granddaughter, Brittany Lyman of Houston, Texas and great-grandson, Hunter Lyman of Casper, Wyo.; and numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces.
A memorial service will be 2 p.m. Sunday, March 30, 2014 at the Peninsula Moose Lodge, 12516 Kenai Spur Highway, Kenai, with a luncheon to follow.
Flowers will be accepted and the family asks that you plant a flower this spring in memory of Bill's love of all flowers and his passion for gardening.Published in The Peninsula Clarion on Mar. 25, 2014
|