Passing of Shipmate Bill Hahn

Share notices and arrangements for shipmates who have passed.
Post Reply
User avatar
Board Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 276
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2005 7:41 pm

Passing of Shipmate Bill Hahn

Post by Board Admin »

WILLIAM D. "BILL" HAHN
1934-2007
William D. "Bill" Hahn, died April 24 after a long battle with cancer. He was 72 years old. He was born December 2, 1934, in Pensacola. He graduated from Tate High School in 1953 and went into the U.S. Navy. He married Zenova Cook on August 11, 1956.
After two years on active duty, he left the Navy and went to work at St. Regis Paper Mill, along with most of his family. In 1962, he re-enlisted and made the Navy his career. Aboard the USS Atka, he sailed to Antarctica to pave the way for Operation Deepfreeze and served aboard the USS Tweedy during the Cuban Blockade. Other assignments included ammunition ship USS Diamondhead, sub tender USS Canopus, and three submarines, USS James Madison, USS Finback, and USS Woodrow Wilson. Overseas duty stations included U.S. Naval Station Rota Spain and Holy Loch, Scotland. He also served in Norfolk, Va.; Charleston, S.C.; and Sand Point NAS in Seattle, sailing six of the seven seas along the way. Bill retired in 1982, after his final tour of duty at the Naval Coastal Systems Center in Panama City, after 28 years, 11 months of service to his country. He is a member of the Fleet Reserve Association branch 22.
He and Zenova enjoyed the travel that came along with the Navy. They almost always owned a travel trailer or camper, and in the 1970s, they became active in the Good Sam Club. They were charter members of Low Country Sams in Charleston, S.C. They founded the Conquistador Good Sam Chapter in Pensacola, and Bill was appointed Assistant State Director of Good Sam.
After retiring from the Navy, Bill and Zenova started a new career in woodworking and crafts. For 15 years, they traveled as far north as New York and west to Texas while doing craft shows. They came to enjoy the Covered Bridge Festival in Parke County, Indiana so much that they bought a cabin and additional property so they could attend every year. Bill was well-liked by both year-round residents and the crafters who attended the festival and was elected President of the Mansfield Village Association.
In 1992, as their crafting days slowed down, they opened a store in Cordova Mall for four years. They also joined Ensley United Methodist church and became very active in day-to-day operations. Bill was a trustee and served on the admin council and other committees. He chaired EUMC's annual Christmas event "Walk Through Bethlehem" and did much of the labor and construction on the buildings.
Bill and Zenova celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary in August, 2006.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Malzie Hahn and his sister Diana Hahn. He is survived by his wife Zenova; his beloved daughter Desa Auriette and her husband Timothy Lindsey; his sister Betty Carter, and four brothers and their wives: Charles Steven and Lynn, Mickey and Betty, Sidney Marshall and Yvonne, and Tony and Terry; along with aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews. Pallbearers are Sidney Hahn, Tony Hahn, Troy Hahn, Eric Griffith, John Henley, Aldis Cook, and Howitt Cook.
Reverends Mark Dees, Bill's cousin Lamar Hahn, and Bill's nephew Scott Carter will conduct the funeral service Friday (Apr 27) at 9am at FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME on Beverly Parkway with interment to follow at Barrancas National Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, 5pm to 8pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the "New Building Fund" at Ensley United Methodist Church.
Link to Pensacola (Florida) News Journal Obituary
Post Reply