William Hanley

Brooklin, Maine - William S. Hanley, 86, died peacefully at his home on December 8, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 4, 1939, son of William M. Hanley and Dorothy Hanley of Chicago, Illinois.

William was a native of Chicago, born at Swedish Hospital. His early years were spent in the shadow of Wrigley Field on Berteau Avenue next to a pickle factory where he attended St. Benedict Parish School, graduating in 1957. He then went to the University of Notre Dame where he received his bachelor's degree in political science in 1961. He continued onto the University of Chicago School of Law where he received his JD in 1964. He was admitted to the Illinois Bar Association in 1964 and began his legal career at the Chicago Law firm Kahn, Adsit and Arnstein.

William was a loving and ever-present husband who married Nancy J. Fahrnkopf at Notre Dame's Basilica of the Sacred Heart in 1970 and then had a celebrated 55 years together. They raised two boys, William and Michael, in a small family home on Lake Springfield in Springfield, IL. The 1970s and '80s in Springfield were fondly remembered years of adventures on the lake, fantastic neighbors and good times.

During the Springfield years he was the Legislative Counsel to the Governor Richard B. Ogilvie, Illinois, 1969-1972, a Ford Foundation fellow, member of the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois. He was an attorney with the Sorling, Northrup, Hanna, Cullen and Cochran Law Firm in Springfield, IL, from 1972 to 2000, general counsel to the Illinois Community College Board, chairman of the Secretary of State's Advisory Council on Public Records and Privacy, chairman of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Illinois State Administrative Law Section Council chairman, 1981-1982 and member Illinois Appellate Lawyers Association.

In 1994, the winds of change carried him to Maine where he pursued a longtime desire to have his own law practice. He passed the Maine Bar at the age of 55 and opened his own law office in Blue Hill, the William S. Hanley Law Office. Being a person for the people, he so enjoyed the scale, personality and humanism of practicing law in Maine. He served as the chairman of the Brooklin Planning Board, was the Brooklin Town Counsel and an Odd Fellows member. His new home of Brooklin was a community dear to his heart and filled with early morning coffee at the general store, daily post office conversations and people he so enjoyed knowing. A friend to many, William always had an ear for everyone.

William S. Hanley is survived by his wife, Nancy J. Hanley; his two sons, Michael J. Hanley of Gig Harbor, Washington, and William M. Hanley of Mt. Desert, Maine; his granddaughters, Aleksandra and Matilda Hanley; and grandson, Cameron Hanley.

Friends and family are welcome to come share conversation and refreshments at a memorial reception 3-5 p.m. Saturday, December 27, 2025, at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center St., Bangor. He will then be laid to rest at Lake Fork Cemetery in Atwood, Illinois. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.