William W. “Bill” Hanna

William W. “Bill” Hanna, 81, of Wheeling, WV, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 in the presence of family.

Bill was born on July 9th 1941, son of the late Bill and Susan Hanna of Bethany, WV. He graduated from the Linsly Military Institute in 1959. He attended Bethany College from 1959 to 1963, graduating with a degree in English. At Bethany he met the love of his life, Jane, whom he married in 1965. He later went on to earn a Masters Degree in English at WVU.

He is survived by his wife, Jane; daughter, Stephanie (Bill) Holt; sons, David (Carrie) and Scott (Shaye); brother, Jeff (Esther); nephews Mathew (Esther) and Patrick, as well as his six amazing grandchildren, Katie, Gracey, Lily, Wilson, Roby, and Emmy.

A life-long educator, Bill began his teaching career at the Linsly Military Institute in 1964 where he taught high school English. In 1968 he began a thirty-seven-year teaching career at West Liberty State college where he taught English and Journalism, served as the faculty advisor for the college’s student newspaper The Trumpet for many years, and was awarded Professor of the Year in 1977 and 2005. He spent several years helping many people in the Ohio Valley choose what movies to see with his movie review columns “Reel Talk” and “Short Takes” in the Wheeling Intelligencer.

He lived with a fierce passion for many things. He loathed waiting in line, bad grammar, and the general stupidity of humans. He loved a good joke, a good beer, a good Scotch, and a good steak. He loved great literature, most especially the works of William Faulkner and William Shakespeare. He loved his pets throughout the years-his dogs Bonnie, Mark, Corky, Heather, Brutus, Heidi, Skipper, Dolly, Bear, Caddy, Benjy, and Rascal, and his cat Kahuna. He loved his students. He loved good movies. He loved the ocean, especially Sandbridge Beach in Virginia. He loved Buckeye football Saturdays and Packer football Sundays. He loved watching his grandchildren play soccer and baseball. He loved, above all, being with his family and friends laughing and telling stories.

As per his wishes, he will be cremated and scattered on his beloved property at Dawn Ree Drive in Wheeling, WV, where he lived for 51 years with his wife and raised his family. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

“Now cracks a noble heart. Good night, sweet prince,
And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

~William Shakespeare
Hamlet, Act V.ii

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Ohio County Animal Shelter.