William G. Hanley
January 7, 1938- October 18, 2024
William Galen Hanley, beloved husband, father and grandfather, of Omaha, Nebraska died on Friday, October 18, 2024.
Bill was born in Marion, Indiana on January 7, 1938, to Mary and Galen Hanley.
Bill graduated from Marion High School. He was an accomplished athlete, lettering in football, basketball, and golf. Bill continued his education at Purdue University, where he was a proud member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity, graduating with a degree in Industrial Economics. While at Purdue, Bill met the love of his life, Sally Berner, on a blind date. Upon graduation he served in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged. With Sally by his side, he continued his education at Harvard Business School, graduating with an MBA in 1964.
Bill began his business career at Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Indiana, rising to the level of Vice President before striking out on his own. In 1978, Bill became the Principal of Cummins Great Plains in Omaha, Nebraska. His distributorship was a model of success that other Cummins distributorships strived to emulate. With his business achievements, Bill became a member of YPO. Sally and he had fond memories of their travels and friendships they made through this organization; especially with their friends in “The Forum”. He retired from Cummins Great Plains in 2000.
Bill was committed to giving back to institutions and organizations that had an impact on his life. He served on numerous boards, including Chairman of the board of Children’s Hospital of Omaha, and Douglas County Bank and Trust in Omaha and Happy Hollow Club. He was a loyal and involved member of the Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha. As faithful Boilermakers, Bill and Sally endowed a professorship of Gerontology at Purdue University. Purdue recognized their many contributions by naming a building in their honor, Bill and Sally Hanley Hall.
Outside of business and family, Bill remained a life-long outdoorsman. His favorite activities included golfing, hunting and fishing. Through the years, Bill shared these hobbies with his family and many friends. Bill and Sally were members of Presbyterian Church of the Cross in Omaha and Desert Hills Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale, Arizona. He valued the opportunity to spend time with his Bible study groups in both Omaha and Arizona.
This past July, Bill and Sally celebrated 63 years of marriage. They were blessed with three sons, Bill, Pete and Tom. Bill was a strong presence in their lives, always supporting and encouraging them on their life journeys. Bill, known as “Papa,” to his dearly loved eleven grandchildren, was proud of each of their individual strengths and talents.
Bill is survived by wife, Sally; sons Bill, (Kelly) Fort Worth, TX, Pete, (Cindy) Omaha, NE, Tom, (Sara) Ankeny, IA; grandchildren, Abby, Trip, Kate, Briana, Madison, Jack, Grace, Mason, Mary, Sally, and Susan; sister-in-law, Sue (Jim) Eibel; and several nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his sister Nancy Dalton of Marion, Indiana.
A private memorial celebrating Bill’s life will be held in November.
In lieu of flowers, a donation to Presbyterian Church of the Cross, or a charity of choice will be greatly appreciated.
9 Comments
Sixty years of friendship, beginning at Purdue and continuing through all the variables that life offers, can be labeled a very special friendship. The adventures, the kids, the moves, the trips, and the endless laughter bring such marvelous memories. How I will miss you!
When in AZ, Bill was a faithful and much loved member of the Desert Forest Links Fellowship. He loved the group, loved our recently deceased leader David Shick, and loved the Lord even more. The entire Fellowship will miss him greatly. The good new is that Bill and Shickster are probably teeing it up right now. From the back tees.
Our love and condolences to Sally and the entire family.
Very sad to learn of Bills passing. He had a significant positive influence on his family and friends. He will be missed.
To Sally and Family, Thanks be to God, Bill is with our dear Lord. He will be missed, especially at the Desert Forest bible study group and all his golf buddies. Bob and I send our prayers and wishes for you, Sally and your family, to be comforted by your wonderful memories of Bill and a life well lived. God bless you all. God bless Bill Hanley.
May Bill rest in peace. Our chats about Purdue and the outings with the P. U. golf team remain in my memory.
Sally, Bill, Pete & Tom, please accept my deepest condolences on the loss of your husband and father. Bill was one of the greatest bosses I’ve ever had. He set the gold standard. He made Cummins Great Plains a power house. He was a gentleman extraordinaire. I will never him forget him, or his kindness.
Sally, Bill, Pete and Tom,
Bill was a role model to many outside your family. I vividly remember meeting him the first time at our fraternity back in 1989. I had the benefit of talking to Bill during a tailgate event and learned a little about his time at the fraternity as well as his career. Walking away from that conversation made me think about my goals in life and he clearly set the bar high. Over the years, I had the benefit of seeing Bill at different events and always loved his candor. My personal favorite was when he inquired about our pledge brother who was late to a tee time and described him “as reliable as a dead battery.” Beyond just spending time with Bill, I had the benefit of watching the people he raised become the gold standard for success in all aspects of life. I’m sad Bill is not around to provide his guidance, but I’m grateful for the lessons he shared and the role model he was to so many.
Bill was a terrific boss. Back in 1994, my husband and I became foster parents to twin girls with disabilities. Bill informed my supervisor to let me have all the time off I needed to take care of these girls needs. That was just the kind of guy Bill was. He was so kind. To this day, I still appreciate everything Bill did for me here at the Cummins branch in Kearney, Nebraska. We had so much laughter and fun at our annual Christmas Parties …My sympathy to the entire Hanley Family .
I have just learned the sad news of Bill’s passing. I am so very sorry. I have such wonderful memories of the years when we were across-the-street neighbors in Columbus, Indiana. Bill was a terrific father, husband and friend. I’m grateful that Bill and Sally and their three sons played such an important role in our family life.
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