William Hansen

Hansen, William V. HANSEN - William Vance (Bill) - Major, USAF (Ret.) (Korea and Vietnam Veteran) Age 85, joined his lovely wife Illene. Bill Hansen, a long-time resident of Albuquerque, passed away after a battle with cancer. Bill is survived by his two daughters: Michelle Runyan and her husband Damon of Albuquerque; and Chris Black and her husband Brian of Syracuse, NY. He is also survived by his sister Helen, of Algona, WA; Bill had five grandchildren: Kristine Peabody and husband Dave; Michael Runyan, Matthew Black, Ryan Black, and Kevin Black; He also had two great-grandchildren: Amanda and Kyle Peabody. Bill was also very close to his sister-in-law Marlene Hubbard and her son Kent, his wife Donna, and their daughter Masha, of Houston, TX. Bill retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years of a heroic service. As an enlisted crew member in the B-29 Superfortress, Bill was shot down over North Korea and spent over a year in a prisoner-of-war camp. Upon his release at the end of the war, he returned and was offered the opportunity to become an officer and graduated Officer Candidate School in 1955. As an aviation navigator, he flew missions over the Pacific in the B-47 Stratojet and B-52 Stratofortress. Later, he was a successful weapon systems officer in the RF-4C Phantom II until his retirement in August 1970. During his service, Bill earned and was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart. Bill then began his second career as an Air Traffic Controller for 22 years, entirely with the FAA Center at Louisiana and Paseo Del Norte, retiring in 1992. He was also constantly at Illene�s side during her final months. Bill will be remembered by those that knew and loved him as a polished golfer who shot is age at least 50% of the time, a devotee of remote controlled aircraft, and an accomplished skier. Cremation has taken place and a private memorial will be held by the family. A donation in Bill�s name may be made to the New Mexico Veteran�s Integration Center (www.nmvic.org), 13032 Central Ave SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123. Bill�s care has been entrusted to Daniels Family Funeral Services Wyoming Chapel. Daniels Family Funeral Services 7601 Wyoming Blvd NE Albuquerque, NM 87109 505-821-0010