Margaret and Bill Hansell in 1967

The children of Bill and Margaret Hansell are organizing a 50th wedding anniversary celebration for their parents on Saturday, March 11th. It will be an open house, cake reception from 2-5 p.m., with a program at 3:30 p.m. at the Athena Baptist Church.

The couple met while students at the University of Oregon in the fall of 1965. It was in the living room of the Delta Gamma sorority that Sigma Chi member Bill met Margaret Eversaul. Bill had been elected president of the junior class, and Margaret was to become the class secretary.

They were married at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Portland on March 19, 1967, three months before they graduated. They were called to serve with an international student Christian organization, then named Campus Crusade for Christ, now called Cru. For the next 12 years they served as campus ministers in Berkeley, Sacramento, and for five years in Australia, where Bill served as the national campus director.

In 1979 they returned with their young family, soon to number six children, to live in the Athena area and work in the Hansell family farming operation. In 1982, Bill was asked to consider running for Umatilla County commissioner, which he did successfully and served for the next 30 years in that capacity. Since 2013 he has served in the Oregon Legislature as senator from District 29.

They have been very active in their community and church. Both have been recognized as Athena First Citizens. Margaret worked in social services including being the Umatilla County CASA Director for 12 years. All six of their children were educated in the Athena school system, and their parents are proud that all of them have both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. They were foster parents to two young men and hosted four international students. There are nine grandchildren as well to bless their family.