It is with great sadness that we announce the death of William Herring Hancock, who passed away peacefully on Mar. 18, 2026, aged 83 years.
Born on Oct. 3, 1942, in Albemarle County, VA, Bill was the fourth child and second son of the late Dr. Henry Hurt and Grace Hortense Herring Hancock. He spent his early years surrounded by the rolling hills, fertile farmland, and mountain vistas of Monroe County, West Virginia, in the heart of the Greenbrier Valley.
Bill returned to Virginia to attend Hargrave Military Academy in Chatham, graduating in 1960. He continued his studies at the University of Virginia, where he was a member of the Theta Delta Chi fraternity, and earned his Bachelor of Arts in English in 1964. Upon completion of his degree, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and subsequently promoted to Captain, serving with distinction in Japan and Korea.
Following his military service, Bill returned to the University of Virginia to complete a Master of Education and then made his home once more in Monroe County, dedicating himself to a life of service. He worked as a counsellor at the Monroe County Health Center, where he also served on the Board of Directors. As Mayor of Union and a member of the West Virginia Municipal League (WVML), Bill took great pride in leading successful grant efforts to overhaul the town’s municipal water system and spearheading the reconstruction and beautification of Main Street-two achievements that reflected his commitment to improving the community.
Bill’s dedication extended beyond public office. He was a lay reader and treasurer of All Saints Episcopal Church, proprietor of a local floral business, and a “gentleman” farmer (that is, not on the farm all that often). Above all, he was a caring and compassionate citizen, deeply committed to the well-being of his neighbors, friends, and family.
Bill often remarked that his greatest achievement was his family, of whom he was immensely proud. He is survived by his brother, Mr. Henry Hurt Hancock, Jr., and his sister-in-law, Patricia Leach Hancock; his four children, Christopher Herring Hancock, Leigh Hancock Kimbro, Matthew McMillan Hancock, and Anne Coleman Hancock-McGraw; sons-in-law Jeffrey Butler Kimbro and Eric Sean McGraw; daughter-in-law Michela Marie Merchant Hancock; and ten beloved grandchildren: Caroline McKay Hancock, Kathryn Carter Hancock, William Herring Hancock II, Coleman Hancock Kimbro, Amelia Anne McGraw, Andrew Campbell McGraw, Iris Elizabeth McGraw, George Christopher Wilson Hancock, Anne Elizabeth Lanier Hancock, and Alice Amelia Grace Hancock.
He was predeceased by his sisters, Katherine Lanier Hancock Shiflet and Margaret Dale Hancock Crosier, as well as by his cherished grandchildren, Arabella Elizabeth Louise Hancock and Carter Hancock McGraw.
A memorial service in his honor will take place at All Saints Episcopal Church at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Mar. 28. His remains will be laid to rest in Greenhill Cemetery, Union, WV, and in the Hancock family plot in the graveyard at South Plains Church, Keswick, VA.
Remembered as an officer and a gentleman, Bill will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Those wishing to send online condolences or would like to sign the online guestbook, please do so by visiting www.groves-mann.com.
