Former Lehigh County Executive Bill Hansell Dies

Former Lehigh County Executive Bill Hansell, who resigned his top post less than three weeks ago because of health reasons, has died, the county said in a release.

He was remembered Tuesday night as "a true champion" who devoted more than 50 years to public service.

Hansell was South Whitehall’s first township manager when it became a first-class township in 1966. He also served as Catasauqua Borough manager and Allentown business administrator. He had led the Pennsylvania League of Cities and spent 20 years as director of the International City/County Management Association in Washington, D.C.

Hansell, 76, of Lower Macungie, had been appointed last summer to fill the unexpired term of former Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham, who moved on to the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.

Recently, Hansell was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma after being hospitalized for pneumonia. He resigned as Lehigh County executive in mid-May after having begun treatment so that he could devote his energy to restoring his health, the county had said.

Here is the full statement from Lehigh County:

"Regrettably, the citizens of the Lehigh Valley have lost a true champion; former Lehigh County Executive, Bill Hansell, has succumbed to the health issues that forced him to resign last month and which continued to escalate over the past two weeks despite the hopes and prayers of a literal legion of friends and former co-workers and his family's constant vigil.

With the experience of over 50 years of outstanding public service, Bill was an incredible source of knowledge and guidance and was singularly focused on doing what was best for the citizens of each government entity he managed.  Bill clearly had his favored political views and would relish a lively discussion with those of differing opinions, but was always the consummate gentleman, committed to working differences out in favor of the citizens he served.

Bill was also a loving husband, father and grandfather and our deepest sympathies go out to his wife, Connie, and his entire family for the deep loss that they are experiencing and we all share."

Hansell talked about governing in an interview with Patch in 2011.