Obituary of John William "Bill" Hanawalt

John William “Bill” Hanawalt, 77, of the Adams County Town of Rome, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017, at home.

He was born on May 3, 1940, in Gary, Indiana, to the late John Hanawalt II and Kathryn (Clayton) Hanawalt, and was raised in Evanston, Illinois.

Bill was a graduate of Evanston High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. On July 25, 1987, his marriage to Sally Armstrong took place in Beloit.

He had worked for the Sears Holdings Corporation for 33 years, retiring as an executive manager. He and Sally retired to the Town of Rome in 1993.

Bill was well-liked and a perfectionist; loved the outdoors and fixing everything. Having served in the U.S. Army, he was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars for 40 years and the American Legion in Orfordville for 20 years.

Survivors include his wife, Sally of the Town of Rome; daughters, Tracey (Gary) Dixon of Beloit, and Lori (Dave) Husk of Cedarburg; grandchildren, Ashley, Gary Jr., Leanna, Nicole, Andrew and Anthony; sister, Barbara Reece of St. Charles, Illinois; sister-in-law, Susan (David) Abrahamson of Orfordville; nephew, Bill (Janet) Reece of St. Charles, Illinois; great-nieces, Madison, Jorden, Lauren, Teri and Jodi; and great-nephews, John and Tom.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Harry Reece; and nephew, Michael Reece.

A private service will be held at the Newcomer Funeral Home in Orfordville. Herman-Taylor Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids, is honored to be assisting the family with local arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.taylorfuneralhome.net.