William Hansen Obituary

Hansen, William W. age 79, at rest Wednesday, March 20, 2002, at his late residence. Born in Burlington, Iowa and a long time Joliet area resident. Graduate of the University of Iowa Class of 1947. A decorated WWII U.S. Army Air Corps veteran where he served as a tailgunner. A recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and 5 Oak Leaf Clusters. General Manager of radio station KMCD in Fairfield, Iowa from 1958 until becoming General Manager of radio stations WJOL and WLLI in 1964 until the sale of the station in 1987. From 1987 until his death he owned and operated Midwest Broadcasting Inc., a radio brokerage company. He was the owner of ten radio stations in Colorado, Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. Past President of the Joliet Regional Chamber of Commerce, Joliet Country Club, Joliet Rotary Club, George Werden Buck Boys and Girls Club, American Red Cross, St. Joseph Hospital Advisory Board and the Illinois Broadcasters Association. Past member of University of St. Francis Board of Trustees. Founding member of Joliet/Will County Center for Economic Development also Board member of the United Way, National Association of Broadcasters and Initial Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters Radio Code Board. Mr. Hansen was inducted into the Joliet/Will County Project Pride Hall of Pride in 2001. Bill was a 22 year cancer survivor, serving on the Illinois State Cancer Board for 10 years. He was also an avid golfer, a loyal Hawkeye fan and enjoyed traveling. His greatest love was his family. Surviving is his loving wife, Cecilia (nee Grask) Hansen of Naperville, two sons, Michael W. (Elizabeth) Hansen of Joliet and Thomas W. (Sheila) Hansen of Western Springs, one daughter; Elizabeth A. Hansen of Chicago, seven grandchildren, Kevin, Eric, Andrew, Mary Catherine, Susan, Brian and Laura Hansen, one sister, Janet (Doug) Thomas of Maryland, numerous nieces and nephews also survive. Preceded by his parents, Walter C. and Doretta (nee Schulze) Hansen. Funeral services for William W. Hansen will be Saturday, March 23, 2002, at 9:15 a.m., from the funeral home chapel to the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus for a con-celebrated Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10 a.m., by Bishop Joseph L. Imesch. Private family interment will follow. Memorials in his memory to the Diocesan Education Foundation, George Werden Buck Boys and Girls Club or Joliet Area Community Hospice would be appreciated. Visitation Friday, 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet. For information: 815-741-5500 Visit Guest Book at www.suntimes.com