Born in Detroit and raised in Grosse Pointe Farms, Bill was a member of the 1967 graduating class of Grosse Pointe High School, where he was inducted into the National Honor Society. He then attended the University of Michigan, completing his undergraduate work in 1971. Following that, he enrolled at the Wayne State University School of Medicine. He graduated from that program in 1975 and completed his residency in family medicine four years later. Bill eventually entered into private practice, taking over for his father, the late Dr. Walter Wesson Hassig. He maintained the same Kelly Road office in Eastpointe until his retirement in 2011. During that time, he built lasting relationships with thousands of patients, many of whom he kept in contact with until his death.
Bill met the love of his life, Sharon, in 1982. He was a young doctor, while she worked at M&R Pharmacy. They struck up a relationship that saw them get married in 1983 and celebrate forty years of marriage last year.
Bill's loves included his wife, children, and grandchildren. He was immensely proud of each of them and ensured they never went without. He and Sharon shared a love of Copper Harbor, enjoying the cooler temperatures and fall foliage of the Upper Peninsula.
Dr. Hassig is survived by his wife, Sharon Hassig, children Steven (Sarah) Willey, Christopher (Lauren) Hassig, Melissa (Fiancé Matthew Juergens) Hassig, and Jeffrey (Melissa) Hassig, grandchildren Alexia Hassig, Colin Hassig, Jack Willey, Henrik Hassig, Andrew Juergens, Hazel Hassig, and Griffin Hassig, and siblings Diane (Henry) Moskaluk-Sprague, Pamela (Gene) Baerwolf, Dawn (Roger) Panczner, Dr. Walter Mark (YongA) Hassig, Marcia Eubanks, and brother-in-law David Burt. Bill was preceded in death by his loving parents Dr. Walter Wesson and Elaine Hassig, as well as his sister, Cynthia Burt.
A funeral service will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 9, at First English Evangelical Lutheran Church, 800 Vernier Rd., Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236.
Memorial donations in memory of Dr. Hassig are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Arrangements entrusted to Kaul Funeral Home St. Clair Shores Chapel.