Tom O'Keefe, president of the Placentia Area Historical Society has issued the following statement:

I would like to express my condolences to his family and friends on the passing of William Hogan and also the condolences of the Placentia Area Historical Society. Bill was a great mayor that did much for our community recognizing the importance of our history to the town’s economic development and did much to support it. This including developing a plan for the renewal of the town square including a plan for the former convent to be a cultural hub, the establishment of the cultural interpretation office, the collection of oral histories and negotiating a relationship with Memorial University to promote the establishment of a Placentia Institute of Newfoundland Studies. He also started the twinning between Placentia NL and Plentzia in Spain and supported the archaeological digs in Placentia. Not all continued or got completed because of lack of funds or the same attention of those who followed Bill. Because of his interest in history, he received a heritage award from the historical society. May he rest in peace.