It is with great sadness and much love that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandpa, and uncle, William (Bill) David Hanlon. Bill died peacefully with his loving family by his side on May 14, 2021 at the age of 88.
Bill was born in Nanaimo, BC and spent his formative years growing up in Penticton, BC. His love of sports and especially basketball earned him a scholarship to Gonzaga University where he spent two years before graduating at Eastern Washington State College with a Bachelor of Education and eventually his Master of Education. Bill met the love of his life, Lola (DiVito), at a dance in Trail. They were married in 1959 and together they settled in Trail, BC to start his teaching career as a shop teacher.
Nothing made Bill happier than dancing with Lola. They were always the first ones on the dance floor and the last ones off as witnessed by the many friends and family at countless dances and weddings at the Colombo Lodge during their 62 years together.
Bill leaves behind his wife Lola, and his 4 children: Christine (Terry), Bill Jr. (Susan), Theresa (Kevin), and Rob, along with 7 beautiful grandchildren: Stephen (Tracy), Michael (Kristyn), Justin (Kayla), Ty (Jennifer), David, Jessica and Cameo, and 4 great grandchildren: Parker, Riley, Emery and Remington, his two sisters-in-law, Norma Caputo and Elizabeth DiVito and many nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his parents William and Mary Hanlon, sisters Patricia McNulty and Sheila White, and his nephew Dennis McNulty.
Faith, family, and love were Bill’s priorities, and his passion for sports was a close second. He treasured his family above everything else, always engaged with keen interest, a listening ear and words of wisdom for his kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews. He was quick to create a game or friendly competition, making family dinners and get-togethers lively.
An avid sports fan, athlete, coach and Maple Leafs fan to the end, Bill was named Trail Sportsman of the Year (1993). Always the first to volunteer, he set an example to show the importance of contributing. Involvement with the Knights of Columbus and the KC Free Throw Competition, the Trail Historical Society Hall of Champions, Holy Trinity Parish, the Trail Athletic Association and The Happy Wanderers, to name a few, kept him young at heart and a vital citizen of the Trail community.
Affectionately known to many students as “Wild Bill”, he taught at Trail Junior High and J.L. Crowe for 33 years before retiring to enjoy his hobbies of furniture building, travelling with good friends, fishing and visiting his kids and grandkids.
Bill was truly one of the “good guys”. He was the consummate gentleman, loving husband and father. Kind, compassionate and proud, he was guided by a strong moral compass, and looked at life as an adventure, always with a glass half full attitude and a whistle on his lips. He loved teaching and of course coaching basketball. His legacy is the lasting footprint he left on the many lives he positively influenced along the way.
Due to COVID restrictions, a private Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, May 28, 2021, followed by an inurnment at the Trail Columbarium located at Mountain View Cemetery. Bill Clark of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements.
As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Foundation (Greatest Need) at 1200 Hospital Bench, Trail, BC V1R 4M1 or online at www.kbrhhealthfoundation.ca
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of William Bill David Hanlon May 14th 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Trail, Province: Colombie britanique