Father William J. Hannifin

August 3, 1930 - September 26, 2009

Father William J. Hannifin

Episcopal Priest 

Father Bill died peacefully on September 26th, 2009.   He was born August 3rd, 1930 the only son of Ella Jane and James Franklin Hannifin.  He was educated at Eureka High School in Utah and Westminster College.  He obtained his license at The General Theological Seminary.  He was ordained deacon in the Episcopal Church in 1955 and first served as deacon in charge of All Souls, Garfield and St. Peter’s.  He was ordained priest in 1956.  He served as interim priest at St. Paul’s, Salt Lake City and as Chaplain of St. Mark’s from 1956-57.  During this time, he lived in the apartment underneath St. Mark’s Cathedral.  Subsequently he served as Vicar of St. John’s, Logan from 1957-62 and as the first Vicar of St. Michael’s, Brigham City from 1958-81.  At that time he also served as Chaplain to the Intermountain Indian School.  Father Bill then served at St. Mary the Virgin in Nixon, NV before returning to Utah as Vicar of St. Barnabus, Tooele from 1991-95.  During his ministry he was also actively involved with Episcopal Diocese of Utah’s Camp Tuttle. For the past 15 months he lived at Christus St. Joseph’s Villa and continued to be an avid and talented needlepointer.  He will be remembered for his life long passion for Native Americans and their faith, their traditions and their culture. He is survived by his foster son Willis (Lucy) Nakai; foster grandson Eric Nakai; and Rising Buffalo “Zig”. A Requiem Eucharist will be celebrated by the Episcopal Bishop of Utah, the Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish at St. Mark’s Cathedral, 231 East 100 South, Salt Lake City, on Thursday, October 1st at 12:30 PM.  The inurnment will be held in his family plot in Eureka City Cemetery, Eureka, Utah. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Mark’s Cathedral or Christus St. Joseph’s Villa. + May his soul rest in peace.

In Loving Memory

My mother is Cheri Hannifin Shields. Her father was Max Faye Hannifin, Bill's father Frank's brother. I was five when my mother died and lived with my grandmother, Norma Hannifin Sherwood for a short time until my dad remarried. She told me all about my mother and I remember her telling me how my mother and Bill played together as children and I remember clearly the picture of them taken together. I have always had an interest in meeting Bill one day and on 2 Sept. 2009 wrote a letter to Rev. Richard Whitaker inquiring about Bill. I got an email today, 29 Sept. 2009 informing me of his death. I am sorry that I never had the chance to meet this fine ancestor of mine. My condolences go to his foster children and those who knew and loved him. I don't know if I can go to the memorial but I was wondering what time the internment will take place, since I live in Salem and many of my Hannifin ancestors are buried in the Eureka Cemetery. Mary Ann 801-423-2833

Mary Ann Shields Steadman

Salem, UT

God's Blessings upon Bill. He was a good friend and collegue when we served together in Utah (1967-77) and was an occasional house guest when we lived in Moab.

The Rt. Rev. Sandy Hampton

Anacortes, Wa

In Loving Memory

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