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SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 9
BY SENATOR PEACOCK AND REPRESENTATI VES GLOVER AND SEABAUGH
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To express the sincere and heartfelt condolences of the Legislature of Louisiana upon the
passing of businessman and former mayor of Shreveport, Louisiana, the Honorable
William "Billy" Thomas Hanna Jr.
WHEREAS, it is with great remorse that the Legislature of Louisiana has learned of
the death of William T. Hanna Jr. on December 17, 2016, at the age of eighty-six; and
WHEREAS, Billy Hanna was a true southern gentleman, a vibrant man of many
talents, an exceptional businessman, and an outstanding public servant who envisioned lofty
economic advancements for the city of Shreveport and region of Northwest Louisiana that
came to fruition during his lifetime; and
WHEREAS, Billy Hanna was a gracious servant of the community who expressed
gratitude for his good fortune by his participation in all manner of civic issues and social
activities; and
WHEREAS, born in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 26, 1930, to parents
William Thomas Hanna Sr. and Irma Belle Adams; his family moved to Shreveport when
Billy was an infant and he grew into the All-American boy; he excelled in sports and
academics; and
WHEREAS, as a stellar athlete at C. E. Byrd High School, he was an outstanding
athlete in football, basketball, baseball, and softball; after graduation, he played collegiate
baseball for four years at Louisiana State University; a three-year letterman from 1949
through 1951, he scored the most runs and made the most hits of the season during his senior
year; and
WHEREAS, he considered a career in professional baseball and played the position
of shortstop in the minor leagues, however, that dream was interrupted by a call to military
duty in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict; and
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WHEREAS, Billy Hanna began his business career in automobile sales in 1953 when
he returned home from military service to join his father at the family dealership of
Andress-Hanna Lincoln-Mercury, later to evolve into Bill Hanna Ford; and
WHEREAS, his astute business acumen garnered recognition from his peers and
inclusion in many prestigious, professional associations, such as, the Shreveport-Bossier
New Car Dealers Association, Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association, the Sales and
Marketing Association, and National Ford Dealer Council; and
WHEREAS, many public and nonprofit agencies benefitted from his guidance and
leadership that included the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau,
Holiday in Dixie, the Ambassadors Club, the Shreveport Country Club, the Committee of
100-Shreveport, the Louisiana Economic Development Corporation, the LSU Board of
Supervisors, the LSU Alumni Association, and the LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation; and
WHEREAS, Billy Hanna was rewarded by the automobile industry with receipt of
numerous accolades that included Time Magazine Quality Dealer Award and Louisiana
Automobile Dealer of the Year; and
WHEREAS, Billy maintained his avid interest in athletics and the sports industry and
was essential in the formation of the University Club, the Shreveport Captains Baseball
Team, and the Shreveport Steamers franchise of the World Football League; and
WHEREAS, in 1977, Billy Hanna considered contributing more to the community
and ran a successful campaign for the office of mayor with the motto, "The Citizen Mayor -
The Choice for Change"; and
WHEREAS, during his single term from 1978 to 1982, an escalation of economic
development projects brought about the construction of the Expo Hall, continued I-49
highway expansion to North Louisiana, and a General Motors facility; and
WHEREAS, in 1994, Billy Hanna joined parish government and served as its
director of buildings and grounds, and later as director of operations and assistant
administrator; and
WHEREAS, he continued to further his public service in local government with the
appointment as administrator and Chief Executive Officer of Caddo Parish and remained in
that position until his retirement in 2006; and
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WHEREAS, during his service as parish administrator, he was responsible for the
successful settlement of the boundary dispute between Caddo and Bossier parishes, which
affected revenue collections from riverboat gaming; and
WHEREAS, he also consolidated major governmental headquarters at Government
Plaza, established an emergency cell phone program for the elderly and handicapped, and
assisted in establishment of the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery; and
WHEREAS, Billy Hanna is survived by his wife, Marvelle, their four daughters,
Stephanie Chaffee, Shelley Prothro, Dorothy Kristin Hanna, and Cynthia Morgan Hanna;
two stepsons, Jeff and Greg Deyo; grandchildren, extended family, and many close friends;
and
WHEREAS, for eight decades, Billy Hanna left an indelible mark on Caddo Parish
and whether the economic times were "boom or bust," he readily performed his civic duty
whenever and wherever possible; and
WHEREAS, Billy was a generous man who possessed an abundance of interests and
skills; and
WHEREAS, Billy Hanna wore the mantle of public service proudly and willingly
while extending courtesy to all.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
express its sincere and heartfelt condolences upon the passing of the Honorable William
"Billy" Thomas Hanna Jr., businessman, public servant, and former mayor of Shreveport,
Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
acknowledge a lifetime of tremendous contributions that William Thomas Hanna Jr. made
to his community, state, and nation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to his
widow, Mrs. Marvelle W. Hanna.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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