William Brown Hanford Jr.'s Obituary
Bill, born on January 1, 1921 in Detroit, Michigan, went home to be with Jesus on April 5,2018 at the age of 97. He was known to family as "Bubba".
Bill graduated from Eastern Michigan University. He went on to teach in the Detroit Public school system and later in the Livonia school system, which he retired from in 1986. During his time in Detroit, he was sent to Paris to study art on a sabbatical leave in 1954. Bill served in the Army during WWII as a forward observer. He wrote a book on his experience and it was published.
Bill had many interests and hobbies, one of which was music. He played the drums in college and formed a band called "Hungary Hanford and The Undernurished Five!" Oil painting and watercolors would be his passion throughout his life. He and his wife, Marilyn, would participate in many art shows throughout the years. He bought a kiln and made pottery to sell and for the family. He and Marilyn also enjoyed playing golf throughout the years and won several awards. They met on the golf course.
The City of Howell, Michigan, where he lived for 35 years, honored him for his service in which he was presented with several medals. He also took the "Honor Flight" to Washington, D.C. In 2012 he was honored in a ceremony at McDill Airforce base in Tampa, Florida, by the French government for his efforts in France during WWII. His pride and joy was the medal he received, the "Ordre National De La Legion D'Honneur."
Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Marilyn; daughter Sherry Brown, Son-In-Law, Lawrence Brown. 4 Grandchildren: Kimberly Gorny, David Brown, Lisa White, Martin Brown; 12 Great-grandchildren & 21 great, great grandchildren. He will be buried in Bay Pines Veterans Cemetery.
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