William Frank Hancock, Jr. (IABE ’64)

January 4, 1942 – November 7, 2014

William F. “Bill” Hancock, Jr. (IABE ’64) entered the Chapter Eternal on November 7, 2014. He died suddenly at his home in Mills River, North Carolina.

Hancock, 72, was a finance professional who spent twenty years as a management consultant with IBM Global Systems, Ernst & Young and Keane prior to becoming a professor and Acting Dean at Hult International Business School. He was born January 4, 1942 in Richmond, Virginia.

After graduating high school, Hancock enrolled at the University of Iowa and pledged the Iowa Beta chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He was initiated into the fraternity on March 9, 1961 and received SAE badge number 110336. He served the Chapter in many capacities and was always proud of the lifelong friendships he made there.

Phillip D. "Flip" Klinger (IABE '64), who was Bill Hancock's pledge brother, said Hancock's nickname in college was "The Rebel."

"The Rebel was the epitome of the 19th century southern gentleman," Klinger said. "If you ever wondered what a True Gentlemen looks, acts and sounds like, you could just look and listen to the 'The Reb.' "

A gracious leader, Bill Hancock was elected as Iowa Beta's Scholarship Chairman, Eminent Chaplain and Eminent Chronicler.

"Bill Hancock was a True Gentleman before he ever stepped foot inside the door of 303 N. Riverside Drive,” said Stephen B. “Steve” Schultz (IABE ’65). “He brought that star quality with him, but it must have been developed from within, because even SAE can’t produce what he possessed. He was magnificent, and I’m sorry that I haven’t seen him recently.

“Farewell, Bill. The galaxy is a little dimmer.”

After graduating the University of Iowa with a Bachelors of Business Administration in Accounting in 1964, he attended The Wharton School of Business and earned his Masters of Business Administration.

For more than twenty-five years, Hancock lived in the quiet town of Sherborn, Massachusetts, located 18 miles southwest of Boston. He was an active member of his church and the community. Recently, he was reconnected with his high school sweetheart, Joy, and the couple became married. They traveled the world when not enjoying the mountains in their North Carolina dream home.

Hancock was an avid photographer; loved fine cuisine, was considered to be a sharp dresser. He was always highly regarded by those who knew him as a true southern gentleman.

Bill was an active father and adored being a grandfather to his seven grandchildren. Being a busy executive never stopped Bill's involvement in his kids' lives; he was a scout leader of two Eagle Scout sons. When Bill's children were younger, he spent weekends traveling to New Hampshire for their skiing adventures. Bill had the ability to make friends easily.

His professional degrees also included Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), and he had a Certificate in Data Processing (CDP).

Professor Hancock was recognized in Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the World, Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America, and Who's Who in Finance & Industry. He was a frequent speaker on leadership, e-Commerce, business strategy, entrepreneurship, and the use of computer technology in business. In 2012, he was voted as the "Professor of the Year" at Hult's Boston campus.

“Iowa Beta has lost a great friend. On behalf of all Iowa Beta Alumni, we extend our deepest condolences to Brother Hancock’s family,” said Marc Rosenow
(IABE ’86), president of the Iowa Beta Alumni Association.

"Bill Hancock was a generous supporter of the Iowa Beta chapter and a proud member of the Iowa Beta Alumni Association. He is remembered by his fraternity brothers as the epitome of The True Gentleman and a real class act. He will be sorely missed."

Hancock was preceded in death by his parents, William and Gladys Hancock, and is survived by his wife, Joy Hancock; his three children, Peter, Jeff and Jennifer Hancock; his daughters-in-law, Laleh and Lindsey Hancock; and his grandchildren, Moraya and Breanna Boggan, Lukas and Kyah Quitno, and Jazmin, Jackson, and Julia Grace Hancock.

“May the memory of his good deeds and the example of his noble life ever abide with us as a lasting heritage throughout all succeeding generations.”

-- The Ritual of Sigma Alpha Epsilon