William "Bill" Hugh Hassinger

William “Bill” Hugh Hassinger, 85, passed away on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC. Born on October 14, 1939, in Buffalo, NY, Bill lived a life abundant with faith, family and a desire to always learn.

Born to William George and Mary (née Gillon) Hassinger, Bill was raised by his father and stepmother, Lucy (née Tauriello) in Tonawanda, NY. After high school, Bill attended the University of Wisconsin—Madison as a Navy ROTC. After graduating in 1961 with a Bachelor of Science degree, he became an officer in the United States Navy where he served with distinction. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he served aboard an aircraft carrier and a destroyer. Returning from Vietnam, he attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1970.

While in Monterey, Bill met the love of his life, his wife Hanne Bøtker. Married on September 20, 1968, Bill and Hanne raised three daughters in California, Japan, and Denmark before settling in Virginia. Bill received an Honorable Discharge from the Navy as Lieutenant Commander in 1972 but continued his service to the United States government. For over 20 years with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Bill served as Chief, Engineering of the Mass Media Bureau before retiring in 1996.

Bill and Hanne found a new home in Asheville, where he immediately involved himself in volunteering through St. Eugene Catholic Church and the local community. Bill found a deep passion in his volunteer work and dedicated his retirement to supporting the MANNA Foodbank, Meals on Wheels, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and others. He spoke with great affection about the families he encountered through these organizations.

Bill had a serious intellect and was perpetually reading or solving math problems. He loved to learn and would happily study more on any topic, but he was most engaged with anything related to math, history or theology.

Bill is survived by his wife, Hanne; three daughters, Jennifer Leiter, Catherine Toepfer (Joshua) and Brandice Schaefer (Gary); five grandchildren, Emily, Nicholas, Kimberly, Shane and Kiersten; two sisters, Elaine Breidenstein (Joseph) and Susan Hassinger (Tim Eberle); and two brothers, Norman Ortner (Merri Ann) and Robert Bialkowski (Madeline); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

The Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Candler, NC, on Monday, November 25, at 12:00 pm. Inurnment, with U.S. Navy honors, will follow at the Western Carolina State Veteran’s Cemetery, Black Mountain, NC.

In lieu of flowers, any memorial gifts may be made to the scholarship fund at Asheville Catholic School, 12 Culvern St., Asheville, NC 28804, or the MANNA FoodBank.