George William Hankinson, Jr.

RAPID RIVER — George William Hankinson, Jr. of Rapid River, 80, passed away on the morning of November 6, 2024. He was born to George William and Carmen Yvonne (Simmons) Hankinson on October 5, 1944, in Boston, Massachusetts.

He spent his childhood in Watertown, Ma., and later moved to Kansas, attending Ottawa University, and eventually Washburn University in Topeka, where he graduated with his degree in business administration.

In between his studies, George joined the United States Navy, proudly serving his flag and country during Vietnam as a corpsman. While at Washburn University, he also worked for the VA hospital and entered the Army Reserves.

In 1976, George was transferred to a VA Hospital in North Chicago, Ill., and worked there until his retirement in 1994. He went on to work for another ten years as a supervisor in janitorial service administration for Shepherds Baptist Ministries in Union Grove, Wis.

George was a member of Lakeview Church in Zion, Ill., and sang in their choir. He played the trumpet for the Chicago Christian Fellowship Band and served on the elder board of Bonnie Brook Baptist Church in Waukegan, Ill.

George loved traveling in his RV, often collecting antiques along the way. He was a very good craftsman, builder, and master tinkerer.

George is survived by his brother, Robert (Lee) Hankinson of Massachusetts; children, Dennis (Jessica) Hankinson of Wisconsin, Tonya (Michael) Basler of Missouri, Jenny (Robert) Bevens of Idaho, and Daniel (Jennifer) Hankinson of Texas; grandchildren, Matthew, Luke, and Timothy Harris, Kaylee, Joseph, Abigail, Andi, Ivy, Noah, Lily, Fern, Willow, and Lavender Hankinson; and great-grandchildren, Parker, Everleigh, and Polly Bloom Harris.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marilyn Kay (Cleveland) Hankinson, and by his second wife, Sandra Rae (DeVries) Hankinson.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, November 15, 2024, at the Anderson Funeral Home in Gladstone. Funeral services celebrating the life of George Hankinson, Jr. will be held at 1 p.m., Friday at the Anderson Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Bill Rafuse officiating. Rapid River American Legion Post #301 will conduct military honors at the completion of the funeral services at the Anderson Funeral Home. A luncheon will be served following the funeral services in the Bay de Noc Room, located at the Anderson Funeral Home.

Burial will take place at 1 p.m. (C.S.T.) at the Southern Wisconsin Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove, Wis. The Anderson Funeral Home is assisting the Hankinson family with the arrangements and online condolences can be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralhomes.net.