William “Bill” Hearn of Laurel passed away on March 18, 2022 at the Delaware Hospice Center in Milford surrounded by his loving family. Born in Laurel, he was the son of the late Raymond Hearn, Sr. and Pauline Carey Hearn. Bill attended Laurel Junior/Senior High School. He was retired from the E.I. DuPont Company in Seaford as a Machine Operator.
Bill loved his community and had been a very active member of the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department for 59 years, serving as the Past Fire Chief, Past President, and held many office positions and served on many committees during his time with the department. He was member of the Laurel Odd Fellows, and served on many committees within the town of Laurel, under Mayor John Shwed’s lead. Bill was “Laurel Fireman of the Year” in 1995, Firemans Historical Hall of Fame recipient in 1999, Sussex County Fireman of the Year in 2004, Delmarva Fireman’s Association Hall of Fame recipient in 2012, and Laurel’s Citizen of the Year.
Bill is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Bonnie Passwaters Hearn of Laurel; brother, Ronald Hearn; sisters, Betty Graham and Joyce Ann Hearn; several nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews that he considered and loved as his grandchildren, Cassidy Elliott, Cooper Elliott, Brad Elliott, Jr., Cameron Elliott, Heather Timmons, and Ryland Elliott. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his brothers, Raymond Hearn, Jr. and Roger Hearn.
A visitation will be held at the Laurel Fire Department, 205 West 10th Street, Laurel, Delaware 19956 from noon-2 p.m. on Sunday, March 27. A Celebration of Life will be held at at 2 p.m. Chaplin Jimmy Hoppa will officiate. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family strongly suggests that contributions be made in Mr. Hearn’s honor to the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department, 205 West 10th Street, Laurel, DE 19956. Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.