Age 82. William Fremont Hanson was born in Detroit, MI, on January 29, 1933, to Frances and Leonard Hanson. He moved with his family to Farmington, Michigan, when he was a young child.

Bill graduated from Farmington High School in 1951, and following graduation, he worked at Leading Engine in Farmington. On November 26, 1952, he married Geraldine Elaine Haskins, and they resided in Farmington until Bill was drafted into the Army in March of 1953. Following his service in the Army, that included deployment to Korea, Bill was employed by Consumers Power where he worked for 18 years. He and Gerrie also purchased a home in Farmington where they raised their two children, Elaine Frances and William Carl.

In June of 1971, Bill left his job at Consumers Power, and he and his family moved to Calumet, Michigan There, they purchased and operated the Whispering Pines Motel for three years before returning home again to Farmington. Bill spent the remainder of his career operating his own business, the Hanson Sales Company, specializing in ceiling fans for homes and businesses.

Bill had many interests in his life but flying was probably the most special to him. He had his private pilot's license, and he also enjoyed building and flying model airplanes.
Bill was a lifelong member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church where he and Gerrie worshipped with their children and where they shared lifelong friendships with their fellow Christian traveling companions.

Following retirement, Bill and Gerrie moved to a condominium in Wixom, Michigan, where they resided until this past April when they moved to the Oakmont Retirement Community in Livonia. On August 14, 2015, Bill died at his residence in Livonia with his loving and caring wife, Gerrie, at his side. During Bill's lengthy illness, many family members and friends and, most recently, the staff at Oakmont, provided loving care, comfort, support and assistance to Gerrie as she cared for Bill.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Elaine, his granddaughter Devon, his sisters Lillian Hanson and Bertha Cunningham and his brothers Carl and Al. Bill is survived by his wife Gerrie, his son Bill, six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and his sisters Mary Scheffler, Clara Hanson and Margaret Hanson and his three brothers, Frans, Leo and Jim. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation Monday 3-9 PM at
Thayer-Rock Funeral Home
33603 Grand River Ave.
(1 blk. W. of Farmington Rd.), Downtown Farmington

Funeral Tuesday, 11:00 AM at the
Old Apostolic Lutheran Church
34100 Eight Mile Road, Farmington Hills, MI 48335

Burial with Army Military Honors on Wednesday 12:30 PM at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.