Bill Hanna’s family shared the news with the Star-Telegram, saying he died “peacefully and unexpectedly” this week while on vacation with his family in Mexico.
DALLAS — Bill Hanna, the Tarrant County government spokesman and a former longtime reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, has died at 62.
His family shared the news with the Star-Telegram, saying he died “peacefully and unexpectedly” this week while on vacation with his family in Mexico.
Hanna was the chief public information officer for Tarrant County, a position he held since 2019. He took the county spokesman role after a 29-year career as a reporter for the Star-Telegram, where he covered an array of major stories and topics, including rural healthcare, severe weather and its aftermath, the 1993 Branch Davidian standoff and the 9/11 attacks.
Hanna on Thursday was being remembered as a dedicated — and versatile — journalist who was also an avid traveler and a passionate fan of the TCU Horned Frogs, his alma mater.
Bud Kennedy, the longtime Star-Telegram columnist, shared a tribute to his former colleague on Facebook on Thursday.
“Bill was the best I ever saw at covering crises — tornadoes, wildfires, floods — but he excelled at vacationing,” Kennedy posted. “He traveled and loved life more than almost anyone in the newsroom.”
Kathy Vetter, a former managing editor for the Star-Telegram, told the newspaper that Hanna was always willing to jump into breaking news coverage.
“He really cared about Texas and the people he was covering,” Vetter said. “He was the nicest guy you would ever want to meet.”
While most of Hanna’s career was as a reporter, he also left behind a legacy in his role with Tarrant County.
Tarrant County Commissioner Manny Ramirez posted about Hanna’s death Thursday morning.
“Bill Hanna was a well-respected journalist, who followed a great career in media with a career in public service,” Ramirez posted on X. “He was a tremendous member of the Tarrant County team. He will be missed. We are praying for comfort for his family and friends.”
Tarrant County Commissioner Alisa Simmons said she was “deeply saddened” by Hanna’s death.
“From his decades of impactful journalism to his time with us, Bill’s kindness and integrity have left a lasting legacy,” Simmons posted on X. “My heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones during this difficult time. He will be greatly missed.”
Funeral services for Hanna are pending.