Obituary for Rev. William R. "Bill" Hann
Funeral services for William R. “Bill” Hann, 86, of Athens will be held 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 15, 2022, at Lake Athens Baptist Church with Pastor Eric Hann officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park under the direction of Hannigan Smith Funeral Home of Athens.
William R. “Bill” Hann was born in Bessie, Oklahoma on October 29, 1935, to Louie and Erma Hann. At the age of 9 he moved with his family (including his brother Carl) to live in Oakland, California. Bill had a reputation as a drag racer in the Bay Area in the 1950s – even winning a number of trophies, until he surrendered his life to full-time Gospel ministry. He met Joanne DeWatney at California Baptist University, Riverside Ca. and they were married in 1961. Two children were born into their family (Andrew ’62, and Eric ’66), and they also adopted their beloved daughter Dorothy (“Dottie”) in 1971. Bill earned both a bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies from Cal Baptist University as well as a Master of Divinity degree from Cal Grad Theological Seminary. Bill was a revered Senior Pastor of several churches in California, including in Baldwin Park, Bakersfield, Walnut Creek, Long Beach, and finally at Mid-Cities Baptist Church in Westminster - where he served for roughly 25 years before retiring. He also served in various capacities as a leader in the Southern Baptist denomination, including President of the California Baptist Convention, President of the California Baptist Pastor’s Conference, Trustee of California Baptist University, and Trustee of Southern Seminary in Louisville KY. Bill was well-respected by his peers as a Bible scholar, theologian, historian, apologist, and a champion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His annual “Criswell Bible Conference” hosted in Westminster featured top tier guest scholars/theologians such as Richard Land and Donald Whitney. His preaching was influential to a generation of younger pastors in California not only for its studied, insightful content, but also for its uniquely poignant and illustrative impact.
Bill retired with his wife Joanne in Athens, Texas where he spent the last years of his life close to daughter Dottie and her family – while still regularly teaching Sunday School in church and preaching on occasion. He will be sorely missed by his family as a husband, brother, father, uncle, grandfather (of 10 grandkids), and great-grandfather. His favorite Bible verses include:
2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (NKJV)
Pastor Hann was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law Jim Crye.
Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joanne Hann of Athens; three children, Dottie Crye of Athens, Texas, Andy Hann and wife Candace of Edgewater, New Jersey, Eric Hann and wife Cindy of Bakersfield, California; one brother Carl Hann and wife Nancy of Burleson, Texas; 10 grandchildren, Aaron Hann and wife Natalie, Drew Hann and wife Laura, Meg Smiley and husband Justin, Isaac Hann and wife Samantha, Matt Crye and wife Michelle, Mark Crye and wife Jessica, Julie Estes, Lara Crye, Stacia Crye, Claudia Crye and 15 great-grandchildren.
Services were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Family.
William R. “Bill” Hann was born in Bessie, Oklahoma on October 29, 1935, to Louie and Erma Hann. At the age of 9 he moved with his family (including his brother Carl) to live in Oakland, California. Bill had a reputation as a drag racer in the Bay Area in the 1950s – even winning a number of trophies, until he surrendered his life to full-time Gospel ministry. He met Joanne DeWatney at California Baptist University, Riverside Ca. and they were married in 1961. Two children were born into their family (Andrew ’62, and Eric ’66), and they also adopted their beloved daughter Dorothy (“Dottie”) in 1971. Bill earned both a bachelor’s degree in Christian Studies from Cal Baptist University as well as a Master of Divinity degree from Cal Grad Theological Seminary. Bill was a revered Senior Pastor of several churches in California, including in Baldwin Park, Bakersfield, Walnut Creek, Long Beach, and finally at Mid-Cities Baptist Church in Westminster - where he served for roughly 25 years before retiring. He also served in various capacities as a leader in the Southern Baptist denomination, including President of the California Baptist Convention, President of the California Baptist Pastor’s Conference, Trustee of California Baptist University, and Trustee of Southern Seminary in Louisville KY. Bill was well-respected by his peers as a Bible scholar, theologian, historian, apologist, and a champion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His annual “Criswell Bible Conference” hosted in Westminster featured top tier guest scholars/theologians such as Richard Land and Donald Whitney. His preaching was influential to a generation of younger pastors in California not only for its studied, insightful content, but also for its uniquely poignant and illustrative impact.
Bill retired with his wife Joanne in Athens, Texas where he spent the last years of his life close to daughter Dottie and her family – while still regularly teaching Sunday School in church and preaching on occasion. He will be sorely missed by his family as a husband, brother, father, uncle, grandfather (of 10 grandkids), and great-grandfather. His favorite Bible verses include:
2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (NKJV)
Pastor Hann was preceded in death by his parents and his son-in-law Jim Crye.
Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joanne Hann of Athens; three children, Dottie Crye of Athens, Texas, Andy Hann and wife Candace of Edgewater, New Jersey, Eric Hann and wife Cindy of Bakersfield, California; one brother Carl Hann and wife Nancy of Burleson, Texas; 10 grandchildren, Aaron Hann and wife Natalie, Drew Hann and wife Laura, Meg Smiley and husband Justin, Isaac Hann and wife Samantha, Matt Crye and wife Michelle, Mark Crye and wife Jessica, Julie Estes, Lara Crye, Stacia Crye, Claudia Crye and 15 great-grandchildren.
Services were entrusted to the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home Family.