Bill Hansen, turning 100 on March 27, views life as a bowl of sweet cherries
By SAUL RESNICK
Special to The Sun
This is another in the series The Sun is running about people who make significant contributions to the Haddonfield community.
Bill Hansen has a century of living under his belt, and he’s feisty, demanding (of himself), super sharp of mind, and loving every minute of life.
He is an influential director of the Haddonfield Lions Club, a trustee and director of the Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley, and a very active member of the Christ the King Church of Haddonfield, where he also serves as an “alter boy” twice a week at services. (Bill has been a member of the Lions Club for 41 years and was president in 1982.)
“Life is a feast, to be enjoyed every day,” said Bill, “and we should be invigorated while we’re here, and I intend to enjoy it for as long as my body carries me.”
Bill still drives (with care), walks good distances every day, and is involved in a number of activities, including his ongoing community service.
Now a Westmont apartment resident, he lives in the same building as his daughter, Gail. His son William lives in Beauford, S.C. They have provided Bill with six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
“I’ve been blessed with a great family,” said Bill. “My wife Dorothy and I were married for 64 years, and despite the fact that she spent her final eight years in a nursing home after a stroke, she was always more concerned with my well-being than her own. If that’s what love is all about, then we had it better than anybody.”
Bill began his working life in 1933, in the middle of the Great Depression, and never wanted for employment. A fond memory for Bill was his time spent driving a milk delivery wagon. “I had a horse named Herbie, and he knew the delivery route so well, we never got lost, thanks to Herbie.”
After having a number of jobs into World War II, Bill obtained his dream job.
“I worked in several positions for Standard Oil (now Exxon) in Philadelphia, before I was promoted, at age 54, to supervisor over 24 salesmen in five plants, as part of the company’s oil delivery service, despite the fact that I only had a one-year high school education. I retired from that job in 1982.”
Then Bill began a new career, with Hutchinson Plumbing/Heating/Cooling. He handled applications and paid for and picked up municipal permits for Hutchinson projects, driving to various locations in South Jersey. “My so-called retirement turned into 30 more years of enjoyable work, and I relished it,” recalled Bill of the fond memories.
Bill retired again at age 97 in 2014, but not from life. His efforts with the Haddonfield Lions (noteworthy for its many charitable endeavors involving the blind and the community), the Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley (which retrieves tissue for corneal transplants), and his church and friends (which are many) keep him active and enjoying the fruits of life.
Recently the Lions Club honored Bill by creating the “William G. Hansen Youth of the Year Award” to be given to a high school student who lives in Haddonfield and is dedicated and active as a volunteer in the community and at his or her school. A cash award and a plaque will be presented to the winner.
Bill looks forward to playing an important role in future Lions Club activities. At a recent club meeting, Lions Club President Bob Stokes gave some details of a five-year plan he was working on to grow the club’s membership and community contributions. Stokes asked for comments. Bill, never shy, said the following:
“I’ll be here to make sure you do everything you say, and I’ll hold you to account if you don’t.”
Everybody had a good laugh, but no one took any bets against Bill being around. Especially Bob Stokes.
This is part of a series The Sun will run about residents who make contributions to a better life for all of the citizens of Haddonfield. If you are interested in joining the Haddonfield Lions Club, please contact Bob Stokes, club president, at (856) 429–6497, or email [email protected].
