William Edward Hanks, Jr. 86, passed away on Sunday November 3, 2024. Bill was born on October 1, 1938 in Birmingham, AL. He grew up in West End and graduated from Blessed Sacrament Elementary School. He attended John Carroll Catholic High School for 2 years and was a graduate of Marion Military Institute. Bill served in the United States Navy from 1957-1961. He graduated from Auburn University in 1966 with a degree in Industrial Engineering. He attended graduate school at Loyola and UAB.
Bill met the love of his life, Dora, while working at Bama Foods and they married on July 15, 1961. He had a long career with Southern Company. Bill was an avid supporter of his beloved Auburn University. Bill had a wonderful outgoing personality and never met a stranger. He was deeply religious and was in the second class of ordained deacons in the Diocese of Birmingham in 1977. He served many years before retiring as a permanent deacon at both Our Lady of Sorrows and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Churches.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Elizabeth Hanks, his sister, Mary Elizabeth Barrington and by his granddaughter, Ashley Elizabeth Collins.
Bill is survived by his wife, Dora, his daughters, Barbara Gray (Stephen), Suzanne Collins (Brian), Mary Measel (Andy), his son, William Edward Hanks lll, 8 grandchildren, Dylan (Allison), Evan and Morgan Gray, Madison and Alex Collins and Garrison, Carter and Maegan Measel and one great grandson, Hudson Gray.
Visitation was held at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church in Hoover on Monday November 11, 2024 from 9:30-11 with the funeral Mass beginning at 11. A private burial for the family was held on Tuesday November 12, 2024 at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo, Alabama. In memory of Bill Hanks a gift may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or a charity of your choice.
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