HANNON. William Joseph, of West Roxbury, passed away on July 27, 2026, age 77, at home surrounded by his loving wife and daughters.
Bill was born in Boston and was a lifetime resident of West Roxbury, attending Holy Name Parish School and was a proud member of the Holy Name Band. He attended Catholic Memorial High School and went on to Boston State and received a master’s degree from Boston College. Furthering his education at Northeastern University with a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies.
Bill started working for the City of Boston during his graduate studies and remained a dedicated employee for nearly 40 years, serving under Mayors: White, Flynn, and Menino. Bill proved early on that his exemplary leadership could take him anywhere. He began as a Youth Counselor for the Youth Activities Commission. He moved to the Public Facilities Department, and it was not long before he became the Department Head. He remained a Department Head for the rest of his career: leading Community Schools, Real Property, Printing, MIS, and Purchasing. Upon his retirement, Mayor Menino declared April 14th “Bill Hannon Day” in the City of Boston.
Throughout his entire life and career, the thing that catapulted him forward was his integrity. Bill was guided by an innate moral compass that shone through in everything he did.
Bill took great pride in his community and felt a responsibility to continue the work to make things better. He was a founding member of the Harry Truman Society, West Roxbury Against Drugs, and the West Roxbury Neighborhood Council.
To work his way through school, Bill was a lifeguard. One of his posts was the Faulkner Hospital pool. In a moment that would later be told with the flourish of all great romances, Bill jumped into the pool fully dressed one night to retrieve one of the nursing students who had been pushed into the pool by a friend. Within days Kim and Bill were an item and never looked back.
Kim and Bill had three beautiful daughters and four incredible granddaughters. They spent their years building a wonderful life together, fostering lasting friendships, including a long running dinner club. They were also fortunate to have close-knit relationships with extended family which included time in Medway, Sagamore Beach, and Bill’s daily phone calls with his Irish-twin, Michael.
Bill’s love for Hawaiian shirts and music are important to acknowledge. Bill was a music connoisseur and had a beautiful voice. He was honored to sing at the weddings of special friends and family. He was also the lead singer of a family band, lovingly titled, Billy and the Boops.
Bill is survived by the love of his life, Kimberly (Rice). His beloved daughters Christine Hannon Russell and her husband Gary of West Roxbury, Kerin Valley and her husband Nick of Medfield, and Tracey Hannon and her husband Patrick Hayes of Quincy. His dear brother Michael Hannon and his wife Joyce, and sister Ann Hannon. Cherished granddaughters Kaia, Zara, Emaline, and Matilda. Bill also leaves behind his wonderful dog Jessie.
Visiting hours will be held at the William J. Gormley Funeral Home, 2055 Centre Street, WEST ROXBURY, MA. 02132 on Tuesday August 4th, from 3-7pm. A service will be held Wednesday, August 5th at Stratford Street Church in West Roxbury at 10:30am.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of William Hannon to the Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org, or to Hebrew Senior Life Hospice Care at https://www.hebrewseniorlife.org/giving.