Willard Kemp Hanner

Willard Kemp Hanner, Sr. 81, of Dover, died peacefully Monday evening, August 18, 2003, in Hennis Care and Assisted Living Centre of Bolivar following a courageous five-year battle with cancer. Born February 15, 1922 in Canton, he was a son of the late Walter Ray Hanner, Sr. and Margaret Leora Kemp Hanner. Willard was raised in Strasburg, graduating in 1940 from high school there. He studied chemical engineering, and graduated from Washington & Jefferson College in 1943 before entering the Navy. Willard trained at Notre Dame University with the Navy before studying Radar and communications technology at Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Upon his discharge in April 1947, Willard earned a bronze star for his service in the Pacific Theater, and a bronze star for his service during the Philippine Liberation. A lifelong resident of the area, he was a member and past trustee of the Dover Elks Lodge #975; a lifetime member of the Dover V.F.W. Post #3463; a member of the Tuscarawas Lodge F. & A. M. in Dover, and a former member of the Dover Jaycees. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, the former Betty Jene Donaldson whom he married on June 23, 1945. Together, they raised five children, daughters Susan Reuter and Jean West both of Dover, and Elizabeth (Rod) Kendle of Alliance; sons Bob Hanner of Dover, and Bill Hanner of Canton; ten grandchildren, Teresa Kendle, Amy Wright, Chelsea, Eve and Anne Lahmers, Mollie, Betsy, and Leslie Hanner, Jimmy Ford, and Frank Hanner; one great granddaughter, Lily Metzger, born just days ago; a sister, Marjorie (Donald) Grate of Miami, FL, two brothers, Walter R. Hanner Jr. of Beachwood, O, and Thomas J. (Mike) Hanner of Dunwoody, GA.Willard is now in a better place with his parents, a son-in-law, Wayne West; and an infant granddaughter.Cremation will be conducted locally through the care of Geib’s Tuscarawas Valley Crematory. Rev. Glen Shedlock will officiate a memorial service at 7:00 PM Thursday, August 21, 2003 in the Chapel of the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home, New Philadelphia. Friends are invited to call Thursday evening from 5PM until the beginning of the service. A reception will be given in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the funeral home at the conclusion of the service. The Hanner’s request that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of Tuscarawas County, 201 West Third Street, Dover, OH 44622, in gratitude for their exemplary care.