William Hajny

William Hajny 1930 - 2024
William (Bill) Hajny, a beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully at the age of 94. Born in 1930 in Adena, Ohio, William lived a life rich with purpose, creativity, and unwavering dedication to those he loved.
Growing up on a farm, William's early years instilled a deep work ethic and a profound appreciation for the land. Bill graduated from Smithfield High School in 1948 and went on to serve in the U.S. Air Force. His passion for aviation continued, and he purchased his first airplane as soon as he could afford it. He moved to Minnesota, where he met his future wife, Janice Banghart. They were married in 1956 and soon had four boys to keep them busy.
He had an extraordinary ability to fix and create with whatever materials were on hand. Bill's creative, inventive nature extended to building countless projects and toys, bringing joy to his children and grandchildren. His garage was his sanctuary, where he could often be found tinkering with old flashlights and alarm clocks, bringing them back to life. He wrote insightful articles in Backyard Woodsman, where he shared his knowledge with others. His pride in these publications was evident. He often said, "Anybody can do anything with everything, now the guy who can do something with nothing... there's a craftsman!" His words, along with his remarkable ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, will be fondly remembered.
Preceded in death by his parents, Rudolph and Bessie Hajny, and his beloved wife of 67 years, Janice Hajny. Bill is survived by his siblings Pauline, Irene, Ann, and John (Connie); brother-in-law Donald (Lori) Banghart. He leaves behind his children William "Billy," David, Karl (Jeannie), and Keith, his grandchildren Bridget (Arthur), Lori (Zach), and Ben (Grace), great-grandchildren Hannah, Claire, Braydon, and Harrison, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.
Bill touched the lives of many, and his legacy will endure through the countless projects he completed, the stories he shared, and the love he gave. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten.
A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, October 2nd, to honor his remarkable life at Washburn-McReavy - Glen Haven 5125 W Broadway, Crystal, M 55429. Visitation at 1 pm, service at 2 pm, with refreshments afterward. A private entombment will occur at a later date at Fort Snelling.