Billie H. Wassmann

Billie ( Bill ) Herman Wassmann died peacefully at his home of 62 years in Emerson, NJ, at the age of 93. He was born on May 10, 1929 to Henrietta Asplint Wassmann and Wilhelm Herman Wassmann, who emigrated from Germany in the 1920s. He resided in Bergen County his entire life. He was pre-deceased by his beloved wife, Muriel Taft Wright Wassmann, in 2006. He is survived by his daughter Patrice Wassmann & her husband Glynn Simpler of Lincoln, VT, and son Clifford Wassmann of Laguna Beach, CA. He has 3 grandchildren: Peter Moyer, Matthew Moyer and Nova Wassmann, and one great grandson Wyatt Moyer.

Bill served in the NJ National Guard from 1948-1952 and then served his country in the 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Division of the US Army during the Korean War, and upon his return in 1954 he married Muriel and attended Pratt Institute of Art for one year. His education there was interrupted by the birth of daughter Patrice. He was always active in his community and served on the Emerson Police Reserves, Shade Tree Commission, Environmental Commission, Historic Preservation Commission, Bicentennial Committee co-chair, Emerson Centennial Commission co-chair, Friends of Emerson Library president. He taught adult education classes in photography, and was the Emerson Recycling Coordinator for 13 years. He was a member of Korean War Veterans of America, commander of the local VFW post, and a member of the local American Legion Post. He was a member of Mensa and an avid photographer, artist and reader. He obtained a long desired BA in his early 40s from Thomas Edison University.

With Muriel always at his side he was active in area historical endeavors for many years and was the past president of the Ridgewood and Pascack Historical Societies. He was involved in the restoration of the Hermitage and the Wortendyke Barn. He and Muriel were co-historians for Emerson for many years. They also enjoyed selling antiques at local antique shows.

In his later years he enjoyed singing and dancing at senior lunches at an area restaurant.

Bill will always be remembered most for his devotion to his wife Muriel, who after one year of marriage developed rheumatoid arthritis and became disabled and ultimately required almost complete care, all while working to support his family and do all the household chores. They were married for for 52 years and he has missed her deeply in the nearly seventeen years since her death.

Visiting will be at Becker Funeral Home in Westwood on May 5 from 2-4PM & 6-8PM. A graveside committal service will be held the following day at George Washington Memorial Park in Paramus, NJ at 12:30 PM.