William T. Hanna, Jr.

The Honorable William T. Hanna, Jr. OBO, BFD, of Topeka, 66, died Sunday, September 28, 2014 at his home where he lived with his Bird of Heart. Bill was born October 1,1947 in Dallas, TX to Ann Anderson Hanna and William T. Hanna, Sr.

Bill traveled the world both during his childhood and as an adult, but ended up in Topeka at Forbes Field after joining the U.S. Air Force. Little did he know that he would find his greatest treasure in Topeka, the love of his life Sally Anne Stewart, his Birdie. Bill and his Birdie lived mostly in Kansas, aside from a few years that they spent living life in the magical mountains in Colorado.

A comforter and guardian to many, Bill sparked and stoked the brightness that they didn't even know was within them. Although he was a father-figure to several special people, he was a father to a few–two sons, Tom Hanna, Atlanta, GA, and George Hanna, Manhattan, KS, and two daughters Erin Dolph (his favorite daughter), Topeka, KS, and Megan Hanna (his other favorite daughter), Prairie Village, KS and he was Papa to Wyatt, Milo, and Dagan, and survived by his sister, Robin Hughes, of Atlanta, GA., and his sister, Chris Cowan, of Houston, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.

He took pride in his ability to deconstruct anything, rewire it, and put it back together (eventually). Be it a record player, a daily argument or discussion, or more recently Apple devices, Bill would not rest until he had broken it down to understand it's inner workings and put it back together. Artful yet playful advocacy–the point always peace–fueled his every argument. He was a peaceful non-conformist who enjoyed advocating for what was right. Some of his happiest hours were spent on his boat, The Moonshadow, or driving fast on his motorcycle.

Bill was an avid photographer, who also loved pyrotechnics, having his dogs by his side, rocking out to music, encouraging people to look at things from new perspectives, and adding color to anything that needed it.

Bill was cremated. A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday October 5, 2014 at 4 p.m. at Shelter House #1 at Lake Shawnee in Topeka.

A map of the Lake can be found at: http://parks.snco.us/DocumentCenter/View/874

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ACLU of Kansas: https://www.aclu.org/secure/support-aclu-Kansas

P.O. Box 3008 Kansas City, KS 66103-9998

or

The Helping Hands Humane Society: http://www.hhhstopeka.org/make_a_donation0.aspx

HHHS 5720 SW 21st St. Topeka, KS 66604