This past weekend, the Osceola community was saddened to hear of the passing of Guillermo “Bill” Hansen, a longtime prominent advocate for the area’s Hispanic business sector.
Hansen, the founder of El Osceola Star some 30 years ago to become the area’s first Spanish language-based newspaper, passed away Saturday at age 65. Services for Hansen will be held at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church on Friday (July 7), with a wake from 11am-noon and service from 12-1:30 p.m. Burial will be at Rose Hill Cemetery. If lieu of flowers, donate to the non-profit Amigos Helping Amigos Scholarship Fund.
While operating the Star with his wife Yolanda, Hansen, called “Memo” by some close to him, championed the Hispanic voice in business through his media work, and as a board member and small business trustee for The Osceola Chamber. He was an instrumental visionary for its Hispanic Business Council, and you could find him every year, decked out as a wise man during its annual Three Kings Day celebration the first weekend of January. The Chamber honored him in 2019 as the inaugural Unity Award recipient for contributions within the Chamber and beyond into the community.
“With 29 years of dedicated Chamber membership, Guillermo was not just a colleague but a cherished friend,” the Chamber noted Saturday in a Facebook post. “
The National Association of Hispanic Journalists’ Central Florida chapter offered this condolence: “Guillermo was instrumental in guiding our chapter members to receive student scholarships through the Hispanic Heritage Fund. As a publisher and editor of the newspaper El Osceola Star, it was a key part in giving a voice and a space for the Hispanic community to announce relevant and landmark news and events.”
Committed to the education of those coming from other countries, Hansen was also a Valencia College trustee and board member.
"Valencia College is deeply saddened by the passing of Trustee Guillermo Hansen. We have lost a dear friend and a true champion for our students and community,” Valencia College president Kathleen Plinske said. “:He leaves a tremendous legacy."
Hansen leaves behind Yolanda and children Yanin and Bryan — and a litany of friends, colleagues and contacts.
