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Gorman was instrumental in the creation of the Hal Rogers Forum in Hazard with an 810 seat auditorium and the Rural Law Enforcement Training Center, the first training center for rural law enforcement in the nation. Gorman made the people of Eastern Kentucky his top priority. He first became Mayor in 1978, and held the office until 2010. Gorman invited President Bill Clinton to Hazard in 1999, and on July 5 of that year hosted President Clinton and civil rights activist Jesse Jackson during their tour and presentation to the community. He made many people through the years a "Duke" or "Duchess" of Hazard and handed out keys to the city to countless people.
Gorman is preceded in death by his one sister: Margaret Gorman Martin; two brothers: Perry Lee Gorman and Jonah Patrick Gorman. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the William D. Gorman Memorial Fund c/o First Federal Savings & Loan P.O. Box 1069 Hazard, Ky 41702; this fund will benefit the Hazard Independent School System.
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Bill
Gorman was raised in Hazard. He was a graduate of Hazard High
School and student of Western Kentucky University. He was the son
of Perry F. Gorman and Allie Daniel Gorman and was
a United States Army Veteran. Bill was married to
Nan Hagan Gorman, and had two children and two step-children.
Mayor Gorman was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Hazard, where
he served as a Deacon and Sunday School teacher and Superintendent. He served
on many Boards and Committees for organizations such as KRADD, LKLP,
Hazard Lions Club, the East Kentucky Corperation and the Kentucky League
of Cities. He was the director of the Kentucky First Federal
Bancorp and director of First Federal Savings and Loan in Hazard.
Gorman is survived by his wife: Nan H. Gorman; two daughters: Mary
Suzanne Gorman & Meriwether Hall and husband Kevin ; two sons:
William D. Gorman Jr. and wife Missy & James Lauchlan Wash and wife
Anne; one brother: L.D. Gorman; four grandchildren: Casey (Blake
M.)Bowers, Haley (James) Clark, Liam Lauchlan Wash & James Hagan
Hall; two great grandchildren: Alexandra Ewing Clark & Catherine
Emery Clark.