William James Hanson, husband of former Dewey mayor

William “Bill” James Hanson, 81, of Dewey Beach, passed away peacefully in hospice care Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Bill was born in Houlton, Maine, into a family of eight children headed by Clayton Hanson and Margaret (Parkinson) Hanson. He graduated from Houlton High and Springfield Technical School in Springfield, Mass.  

After serving in the U.S. Navy, he wed Diane Charske in 1973.  He worked as a design draftsman for decades for General Electric and Combustion Engineering. During their over 50 years of married life, Bill and Diane lived in Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Delaware. For vacations they would charter a sailboat out of Newport, R.I., in summer and hit the slopes in winter, having skied all over the U.S., Europe, and Canada.  

In 2006, Bill and Diane moved to Dewey Beach. In the ensuing years, Bill was forever dedicated and supportive of his wife who served as a Dewey Beach commissioner for 10 years, in six of those years she was the town’s mayor.

Bill was a mild-mannered individual with a great sense of fun. He was a dedicated Celtics fan who enjoyed playing basketball and a good game of golf.  He especially loved driving around Sussex County in his vintage 1933 Packard. But most importantly, he was a loyal friend, a dedicated husband, a family man, and a true animal lover.  

Bill is predeceased by his parents and seven siblings. He is survived by numerous nephews and nieces, many dear friends, and Tiffany, Mitch, Levi and Proverb Wright.

In lieu of flowers, consider a contribution in Bill’s name to the Brandywine Valley SPCA.

A celebration of life will be held in April.