William Edward Hauser

The earth has lost a most generous soul – a dad, grandpa, uncle, cousin and friend – a soldier, a member of the greatest generation, a 95-year-old- firecracker. His friends and family will miss his big heart and mischievous smile and until we meet again, we will cherish our memories and strive to live our lives in his generous spirit – the way he showed us every single day.

Bill, born on March 22, 1919 in Tupper Lake, NY to Walter Edward & Delia (Saulnier) Hauser, was the first-born son to a family with six children. Bill’s dad, an engineer on the NY Central Railroad, made a fine and steady living, which made growing up in the era of the Great Depression a little easier for Bill and his siblings. Growing up in upstate New York, the adventurous young Bill often ventured into the backwoods with his canoe all summer long to explore the many lakes and rivers in the area. Going solo, Bill carried only a few necessities, including a Victrola record player and a few records (including one of his favorites “Ramona”), a 22 rifle, some fishing gear, a frying pan, matches, salt & pepper, a mini first aid kit and one change of clothes.

Shortly after graduating high school in Tupper Lake, NY, Bill served 22 years in the U.S. Army through WWII and the Korean War. He was a member of the 101st Airborne Division and proved an integral part in coordinating the new program’s organization and training, including airborne/air landing operations. A U.S. Army Citation awarded to him states, “The outstanding manner in which these activities were coordinated and accomplished is particularly noteworthy in that the 101st Airborne Division was a completely new and untested organization and, as such, presented problems that were without precedent.”

Bill rarely spoke specifically of his military life or mentioned the many medals that he was awarded. He had the same quiet humbleness regarding military life which is prevalent among many veterans for so many, many reasons. Among the medals he was awarded are the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, American Defense Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal (Germany), Korean Service medal, Commendation Medal w/ Medal Pendant, 9 o/s Bars, United Nations Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Korea (ROK) Presidential Unit Citation, Oak Leaf Cluster to the Bronze Service Medal, Parachutist Badge, Oak Leaf Cluster to Commendation Medal w/ Pendant.

Upon retiring as a Major from the U.S. Army in 1962, Bill ventured into the car business and then the furniture and appliance business, owning his own store in Coffeyville, Kansas until he retired in 2006 at the age of 87. He was still delivering and installing appliances right up to the day he retired. Those who

knew Bill knew a very generous man who always thought of those around him, often doling out money and delivering furniture and appliances to friends and family far and wide, frequently refusing to take payment. Bill loved driving his Jeep for long stretches across the great USA and spent the next few years after retirement traveling to see friends and family including his son Bruce of Indio, CA, his son Mark of Cheyenne, WY, his brother Bud of Tupper Lake, NY, and cousins, friends and grandkids in Texas, Kansas and elsewhere. He settled into his later years living with his granddaughter, Shannan, in Texas.

He is preceded in death by his father Walter Edward Hauser (2 Oct 1888 - 31 Mar 1955), mother Delia Rose Miner (22 Jul 1892 - 11 Aug 1976), sister Dorothy Schlack Hauser (31 Mar 1913 – 7 Feb 1987), sister Ruth (30 Mar 1917 - 1986), sister Emma (b. 22 Feb 1921 - 1972), brother Walter “Bud” (30 May 1924 – 14 Feb 2014), brother Ernest (30 Jun 1927 - 1987), step-daughter Donna Jean Goff Shry (10 Mar 1938 - 16 Jul 2004), and ex-wife Wilma Maxine Hauser Kahrs (4 Oct 1917 – 10 Dec 2012).

Bill leaves behind his son Bruce (Linda) of Indio, CA, his son Mark (Lina) of Cheyenne, WY, his granddaughters Shannan (Mike), Donnell and Sarah (Adam), two great-granddaughters, Markie and Charlie, step-great-grandson Robert, all of Texas; as well as step-granddaughter Cheri, step-great-grandson, David, step-great-granddaughter Kacie and numerous step-great-great grandkids of PA, step-grandson Michael (Barb) of KS, 3 step-grandsons, Bill (Carolyn), John (Gina) and Eddy (Pamela), and numerous step-great-grandchildren of WY, CO and NE, nephew Richard “Dick” of AL; sister-in-law Shirley and niece Charlene of Tupper Lake, NY; niece Karin (Jerry) of Toronto, Canada; sister-in-law Lou of NY; cousin Reggie of NY; and numerous other special nieces, nephews and family, all of whom he held with great affection.

Bill also leaves behind some very special family-friends whom he loved dearly including Steve (Judy) Strasburger, Billie Hinkle, The Van Zlike Family, Tony Topeka, Paul Arjona, Stephen & Kasey Smith, Chela Piacentini, The Roberts Family, Krista McDonald and family, Margaret McGarry, and numerous other wonderful friends whom he held dear to his heart.

Family and friends will gather for a “Celebration of Life” in Bill’s honor on Sunday, July 20, 2014 from 4 to 9 pm at the home of Bill’s granddaughter, Shannan, in Carrollton, Texas. Bill’s ashes will be interred at a later date at the Holy Name Cemetery in Bill’s hometown of Tupper Lake, New York where his mom, dad and siblings are also laid to rest.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the wonderful, caring souls of Amity Hospice of Dallas, Texas (www.amityhospice.com) who helped our family take such good, loving care of our beloved Bill in his last days in this life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to your local hospice. What an incredible service they provide and we are forever grateful for their kind and loving hearts.