William S. Hanson

William S. Hanson, 88, of Elizabethtown passed away peacefully after overcoming many illnesses with remarkable determination. He (pap) passed away as he wished – at home, held in the love of his family on Thursday, February 26, 2026. Born in Johnstown, PA, he was the son of the late William and Elizabeth (Lorditch) Hanson. He was a loving father, grandfather, and dedicated husband of 55 years to Nancy J. (Wendal) Hanson.

Bill attended Richland High School before joining the U.S. Navy at 17. There he served aboard heavy cruisers, U.S. Baltimore and USS Toledo 133 as a radar man and a shell back. He worked with Johnstown School System, Cadillac Motors, and PennDOT. Bill attended American K9 in Nashville, TN as a dog trainer and started Hanson’s Dog Grooming with his wife. He loved to snuggle with all his pets, especially his dog Jack.

Bill was a loving father to six children, Bill and Matthew Hanson, Kelly Ostrander and Charlene Custer, Debbie Kuch and Leslie Brosius. He was the grandfather to seven grandchildren, Julia, Lisa, Joe and Glenn Hanson, Theresa Roberts, Tim Brosius and Jacob Custer and had six great-grandchildren, Kylee, Vincent, Michelle, Emmy, Lila and Dorian. Bill also had four siblings, Charlene and Thomas Torchia, and Ronald and Donald Hanson.

He is preceded in death by a son, William G. Hanson; along with his parents.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 12PM at Miller-Finkenbinder Funeral Home, 130 N. Market St., Elizabethtown, PA 17022. Interment with military honors will follow at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA. Family and friends are invited to view from 11AM until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project at www.WoundedWarriorProject.org