William H. Hannon was born on October 2, 1913, in Los Angeles and died on November 4, 1999, in the same city he called home for a lifetime. He is remembered as a community builder whose passion for real estate was matched only by his passion for giving away the riches he had made.

William’s father made his living as a rancher, and his mother was a homemaker. During the Great Depression when money was scarce, William’s parents would put the children in their Studebaker and tour California’s twenty-one Missions. This was not only an inexpensive form of entertainment, but it was also how William developed an interest in the history of early California and the Los Angeles area.

After graduating from Loyola High School in 1933, William wanted to attend Loyola University in Westchester (now Loyola Marymount University). With no money for a college education, William and his mother asked the President of Loyola University if they would admit him with the intention that William would pay back the school for his education once he got a job. William’s college education began on a handshake deal that would result in his lifelong dedication and support of his alma mater.

After his studies at Loyola University, William was called to serve as an intelligence officer in the Army. He received a special meritorious award for his work on the Manhattan Project, the group that designed and built the first atomic bomb.

In 1937 William began work with Fritz B. Burns & Associates. They subdivided thousands of acres in Westchester, then built and sold homes to GIs returning from World War II. William Hannon and Fritz Burns then went on to develop Playa del Rey, Panorama City and Ontario in Southern California.

The Hannon Story

William H. Hannon is the middle student in the second row from the top. This photo shows W.H.H and fellow altar-boys in the 1920’s.

William continued in the real estate business independently of Fritz Burns, buying apartments, industrial buildings, and operating the popular San Fernando Swap Meet. He also served as president of the Fritz B. Burns Foundation, founded by his former partner and mentor.

In 1983, William formed his own philanthropy, the William H. Hannon Foundation. Over the years, the Hannon Foundation has supported many Catholic schools, Missions and hospitals, as well as numerous other public and private nonprofit organizations in Southern California.

William’s fascination with early California history and real estate led to a passion for Father Junípero Serra, the founder of the California Missions who is credited with establishing the first settlements in California through a network of Missions. William often said, “Father Serra was the first developer of California. If you buy real estate, buy within a twenty mile radius of a Mission. California’s twenty-one Missions are all near fertile soil and water.”

To promote the spirit and contributions of Father Serra, the William H. Hannon Foundation commissioned an artist to design a life-size bronze statue of Father Serra. From this single mold, the Hannon Foundation had almost one hundred more statues cast and placed at the California Missions, and at various Catholic schools and universities. A devout Catholic, William wanted to renew an interest in Father Serra and eventually have Father Serra declared a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church. Pope Francis canonized Father Serra in 2015, and he became Saint Junipero Serra.

During his life, William was a major benefactor of his alma mater, Loyola Marymount University, serving as an Honorary Trustee and a Regent Emeritus. From the William H. Hannon Library to Hannon Field to the Hannon Apartments, named in honor of his mother, Eugenie B. Hannon, William’s spirit and the Hannon name continue to live on at LMU today.

In addition to LMU, the William H. Hannon Foundation supports other local universities and colleges (Mount St. Mary’s University, Occidental College, Loyola Law School, and University of San Diego, to name a few), high schools, elementary schools and preschools.

William was also very proud to be named a Knight of St. Gregory and to receive the 1994 Cardinal’s Award from the leader of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Cardinal Roger M. Mahony. William’s Catholic faith and the promotion of the Church and its good works were central to his life.

The William H. Hannon Foundation carries on his legacy today.