Dorr Williams Hanson Sr., our noble and great father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, teacher, and friend courageously passed from mortality on Dec. 4, 2011, at his home in Huntington, Utah, surrounded by his children, to join his eternal mate, Elizabeth, other loved ones, and perhaps another heavenly choir after 45 years with the Huntington Glee Club. We will miss his sweet melodies but fully expect to hear them again.
Dorr Williams was the first born of his parents, Harold Joseph Hanson and Florence Ruby Williams Hanson. His joyous birth on Oct. 14, 1917, in Ferron, Utah, began 94 glorious years of a most remarkable life overflowing with love, family, faith, hope, charity, obedience, prayer, gospel study, temple worship, hard work, music, humor, service, and unwavering devotion to God, our Father, and Jesus Christ, our Savior. He lived an exemplary life for all but especially for his posterity.
Dorr loved life and maintained an optimistic, positive attitude to the very end. He was kind, forgiving, helpful, intelligent, funny, energetic, neat, orderly, scholarly, musical, affectionate, humble, and generous. Family was top priority for Dorr, always doing his part to assist Elizabeth in the home and while they loved, nurtured, and taught their children and grandchildren. Gardening, fly fishing, camping, hunting, scouting, hiking, and music were all interests he shared with his family and friends.
A faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Dorr served throughout his lifetime beginning as president of his Trailblazer Class, continuing as president of his Aaronic priesthood quorums, bishopric and Sunday School counselor, stake missionary, Kenilworth Ward Bishop, stake and ward Explorer leader, young men’s presidency, Cub Master, high priest instructor, Blazer leader, stake high counselor, stake Sunday School president, priesthood chorister, temple mission, home teacher, and choir member. Civic service was also important to Dorr, and he served on the Huntington City Council, the Castle Valley Special Service District original member, secretary, and board chairman, 4-H Leader, Huntington Glee Club member since 1966, and recipient of the Silver Beaver Scouting Award.
Following his early years in Ferron, Millard County, and a brief time in Idaho, Dorr moved with his family to Hiawatha, Utah. This is where his musical talent emerged with the clarinet, adding the saxophone. Dorr commuted to Price High School to complete his education, and it was with honor that Dorr became a member of the high school championship marching band, traveling to Chicago, Ill. for competition. Following in the footsteps of his father, he completed his degree in education from BYU. Elizabeth was the intelligent beauty who caught his eye in high school, and they began their 73 years of marriage on Dec. 19, 1938, in the Salt Lake Temple. His teaching career began in Kenilworth, Utah. He loved teaching, but he left that profession to become the materials manager for the local coal company to better support his family and the war effort. After 18 years in Kenilworth, Dorr was hired by Thiokol to be a warehouse supervisor and moved his family to Brigham City, Utah, for four years and then on to Pocatello, Idaho, for two years. Obeying the directive of the Holy Spirit, Dorr relocated his family back to Huntington, Utah, to become an independent gas and oil distributor for Amoco Oil. This was the same county of his birth. Dorr loved the people of Huntington and Emery County and diligently employed his talents to help build up and improve the land of his inheritance. Elizabeth was his constant support and cheerleader in all of his pursuits; they were always a team and strived to “go about doing good” wherever possible. Dorr and Elizabeth enjoyed a happy, harmonious marriage despite the challenges that beset them and have taught us to “press forward with steadfastness in Christ, with a perfect brightness of hope and love for God and for all mankind.”
Dorr was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Joseph Hanson and Florence Ruby Williams Hanson; a brother, Mark Hanson; a daughter, Jeanne Lucile; a grandson Randy Wayne Bell; a granddaughter, Heather Mary Hanson, and a great- grandson, Trent Randy Bell. He is survived by a brother, Nolan Hanson, a sister, Alice Cowan, and his children, Dorr Jr., (Dana) Hanson, of Spring Glen, Utah; Karla (Blake) Liddell of Price, Utah; Loel (Kathy) Hanson of Idaho Falls, Idaho; LeAnn (Randy) Bell of Orangeville, Utah; Colleen (Lowell) Allred of Ephrata, Wash.; Leslie (Lance) Van Buren of Huntington, Utah; Jonathan (Annette) Hanson of Anacortes, Wash.; Timothy (Cathy) Hanson of Roy, Utah, and 41 grandchildren and 56 great-grandchildren.
Friends may stop by the Heritage Funeral Home on Thursday to sign the guestbook and pay their respects during the day from 10 a.m.-5 pm.
Funeral service will be on Friday, Dec. 9, 2011, 11 a.m., Huntington Stake Center, 310 N. Main, Huntington, Utah. Family and friends can gather for viewing on Friday, Dec. 8, at the Huntington Stake Center, 9-10:30 am. Interment will follow in the Huntington City Cemetery under the trusted care of Heritage Funeral Home.
Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.heritagefuneralhomeutah.com.
Dorr Hanson Sr.
"Dorr Hanson Sr."