William Lewis Hanson

Bill was a wonderful friend of our family for over 40 years, working with John, David, and Peter and with our father, Art Lumsdaine, on a variety of peace projects. Bill's insight, balance, and wide-ranging mind were an inspiration. He contributed greatly, wherever he was, and was a wonderful friend to many.

In the last couple decades, Bill helped me through my parents' illness, and after their deaths. We also discussed chinese art, philosophical subjects, public affairs, peace,...

this candle is for you my friend, my encouragement, you taught me it is never too late, i chose this candle as the colours are like you were bright and beautiful, love, erin O'neal

i cant believe he is gone, my best friend, like a father to me, he taught me alot about law, and that being gentle in a cruel world is not a weakness, he helped me to find self worth from age 18, i am now 53, we spoke every other night or sometime during the week after he moved to Norse home, we spoke of society, law, self esteem, china, and loving the world, he had a great love of huan kind, and was deeply spritual without needing a building to worship, he introduced me to the quarkers and...

Tolerant like the sky,
all-pervading like sunlight,
firm like a mountain,
supple like a branch in the wind,
he has no destination in view
and makes use of anything
life happens to bring his way.

Nothing is impossible for him.
Because he has let go,
he can care for the people's welfare
as a mother cares for her child.

Bill Hanson was a major influence upon many members of the World Peace Through Law section, WSBA. His life in itself and in its public achievements indicated what an Attorney at Law should look like and be like, exactly as per the standards of a pretty much minority from the older generation, resolving the conundrum described, e.g.
by Sol Linowitz in his book on this.
Au revoir Bill, excellent friend.

My dearest friend for 30 years, he was like a father to me and I felt as a good son would as I helped him write his autobiography

Bill became such an important part of our family when he met my mother, Jean, at Norse Home. Her life completely turned around and was given new purpose when she met Bill. Bill's lively and intellectually curious spirit was at once inspirational and magnetic to all who came into contact with him. He will always be remembered in our family with great fondness and love. We miss him terribly. Thank you Raina and Vicki for sharing your wonderful father with us.

Bill and my father both moved to Norse Home in 2008. My father was able to successfully transition to his new life in Seattle - and I think his finding someone like Bill was a big part of it. Bill and my father hit it off from the beginning. Good friends are important at any phase of life, but it has been so fortunate that they had such quality companionship at this stage...

Bill still had a curiosity about the world despite the fact that he knew so much about so much. He told stories...

You once told me " your witness is crucial" and that has guided my life in all ways.You spoke a simple truth that is universal, Thank you ! Bill.