William Thomas Hanna Jr.

1930 - 2016

William Thomas Hanna, Jr.

SHREVEPORT, LA - William Thomas Hanna, Jr., known as Billy to some and Bill to others was born September 26, 1930 in Kansas City, MO and came to Shreveport when he was 3 months old. He was the son of William Thomas Hanna, Sr. and Irma Belle Adams. Bill died December 17, 2016 at home surrounded by family. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at Rose-Neath Marshall Street Chapel, 1815 Marshall Street, Shreveport, LA. Officiating will be The Rev. Kenneth Paul. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery, St. Vincent Avenue, Shreveport, LA.

He is survived by his wife Marvelle Warren Hanna. His four daughters Stephannie Chaffee and husband Randy, Shelley Prothro, Dorothy Kristin Hanna and husband Bruce Allen and Cynthia Morgan Hanna. His two step-sons are Jeff Deyo and Greg Deyo. Grandchildren are Jake Hanna-Chaffee, Zack Hanna-Chaffee, Chris Prothro, Jr. and wife Candace Park and son Grayson, Charlotte Barnett and husband Jarrett and daughter Piper, Clyde Hargrove and wife Rebecca and son John Slack, Billy Hargrove and wife Kelly and daughter Nola Dean, Morgan Burks, Michael Burks and Maggie Hanna and his step grandchildren Ananda Ford and son Jackson, Arwen Byrd, Chase, Erin and Allie Deyo, Gregory Jr., Johnathan, Erica, Darren and Danielle Deyo. Bill is survived by his only brother, Kenneth George Hanna and wife, Vicki.

Bill was a successful businessman and civic leader in the city of Shreveport and Caddo Parish for over 50 years.

Bill grew up in the Broadmoor neighborhood, where he developed his love for sports. He played football in fall, basketball in winter, baseball and softball in spring and summer - baseball carried him through C. E. Byrd High School and then to Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. He made the baseball team at LSU all four years, lettered from 1949 - 1951, his senior year he had most runs and most hits. He fell in love with the Tigers and became and remained an active and over-the-top tiger fan, after all he knew the words to the 2nd verse of the Alma Mater and sang it frequently (in his own key!) After graduation from LSU he played shortstop in the minor leagues, which was cut short by his service in the United States Air Force.

He returned to Shreveport in 1953 to join his father in the car business at Andress-Hanna Lincoln-Mercury and later Bill Hanna Ford - where "You Canna Ford a Hanna Ford" became a popular local slogan. He became more involved in automobile related and civic activities, to list a few: Louisiana Automobile Dealer of the Year (1977), Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award (1978), President - Shreveport-Bossier New Car Dealers, Assn., President - Louisiana Automobile Dealers Assn., President - Sales and Marketing Assn., Vice President - Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau Board of Directors, National Ford Dealer Council, President - Ambassadors Club, Holiday in Dixie, President - Shreveport Country Club, Founding Member - University Club, A Founder - Shreveport Captains Baseball Team, A Founder - Shreveport Steamers World Football League, Committee of 100 - Shreveport, LA, Chairman-LA Economic Development Corp, LSU Board of Supervisors, LSU Alumni Assn, and LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation.

In 1977 Bill made a decision that changed the direction of his life, he ran for Mayor of Shreveport.

He ran as Bill Hanna "Citizen Mayor" - "The Choice for Change." The voters had recently approved a change in city government from Commission to Mayor/Council. He won the election in 1978 and served until 1982. During his term, General Motors came to Shreveport, there was a groundbreaking for Expo Hall, the announcement of Fair Grounds stadium being re-named "Independence Stadium" and promoted the decision to construct I-49 through NW Louisiana. His most exciting opportunity was being able to entertain and present John Wayne with the second annual "Spirit of Independence" Award, at the Independence Bowl.

He joined the Parish in January of 1994, as Director of Building and Grounds, and later serving as Director of Operations and Assistant Administrator. In June of 1998 he was appointed Administrator & CEO of Caddo Parish and remained in that position until his retirement in 2006. As Administrator, he had several projects completed, the most significant accomplishment was establishing the much disputed boundary between Caddo and Bossier Parish, which affected revenue collected from the River Boats. He brought all three major governmental headquarters together at Government Plaza, established an Emergency Cell Phone Program for the elderly and handicapped, brought Chimp Haven to the Parish and helped establish the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery.

The family would like to thank Dr. Dan Moller, Dr. Robert Savory and everyone at W-K Hospice, you helped more than you know. A special thanks to Marvelle's sisters and their husbands, Clarice and Jim Sherder, Carol and Randy Dozier, and a very special niece, Lisa Parker. Thanks to all friends and neighbors over the past few years for your support.

Honoring Bill as pallbearers will be Clay Abington, Doug Abington, Jarrett Barnett, Morgan Burks, Ananda Ford, Billy Hargrove, Clyde Hargrove, John Penrod, and Chris Prothro, Jr. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Pete Abington, Karen Bell, Charles Grubb, Randy Lucky, Dannye Malone, Gus Mijalis, and Byrum Teekell.

In lieu of flowers those wishing to honor Bill's memory can do so by donating to Jake L. Hanna Endowed Scholarship Fund at Centenary College, 2911 Centenary Blvd., Shreveport, LA 71104, Chimp Haven, 13600 Chimpanzee Place, Keithville, LA 71047, or a charity of the donor's choice.

Bill was always known for his patriotism, and his support for law enforcement, and fire departments in Northwest Louisiana.