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© Anderson~Burris Funeral Home Enid, Oklahoma February 2023 January 26, 1936 ~ February 3, 2023 The funeral for retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Wilburn Elroy "Bill" Hassler will be 2 pm Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Anderson-Burris Funeral Home Chapel. His grandson, the Rev Robert Pringle, will officiate. The Rev Terry Jewell will perform the graveside service at Memorial Park Cemetery, Enid. Burial will follow with military rites provided by the Silver Talons Honor Guard from Vance Air Force Base. Visitation with the family will be 6-7 pm Wednesday at the funeral home. Arrangements are by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home and Crematory. He was born January 26, 1936, in Stockdale, Texas, to Otto and Ella Hassler, and passed away at Golden Oaks nursing home Friday, February 3, 2023. He graduated from Seguin Texas High School in 1954 and joined the United States Air Force. After basic training, he was stationed in California before being sent to South Korea. It was there that his life changed for the better. A friend of his, also an airman stationed in Korea, had let it be known he desired letters from home. In Oklahoma, Mary Sue Rusk, a young woman in Westville, saw his plea in a church bulletin and sent a letter and photo signed "As Ever, Mary Sue." The airman received several letters and shared them with others on base, including his good friend, Airman 2nd Class Bill Hassler. Bill read Sue's letter, saw her photo with the signature and thought, "that is a nice-looking girl," so he answered her letter. They continued to correspond, sharing a lot about themselves in letters while he was in Korea. After Bill returned to the United States, he was stationed in El Paso, Texas, and the two continued to write and would talk during pre-arranged times, he on the landlord's phone and she on the drugstore's phone. He eventually proposed, and they met face to face - despite the Hungarian Revolution and car trouble - for the first time when he traveled to Oklahoma for their wedding, November 23, 1956. The couple had four children, Rick, Kevin, Debbie and Steve. They traveled the country and the world during his time in the Air Force. They lived in El Paso, Texas; Omaha, Neb.; Bossier City, La.; Izmir and Istanbul, Turkey; Fairfield, Calif; Hawaii; and Enid, where he retired on May 31, 1975, at Vance Air Force Base, after nearly 21 years of service to his country. During his time in Hawaii, Bill traveled extensively throughout the Pacific region, including the Philippines, South Vietnam, Thailand, Hong Kong, Guam and Johnston Island. His awards received during his time in the Air Force include the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal with two knots, National Defense Service Award, Air Force Longevity Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters and NCO Professional Military Education Graduate Award. After leaving the Air Force, Bill realized he needed to do something else, so he enrolled in Phillips University and pursued a bachelor's degree in education. He later earned a master's degree in education from Oklahoma State University. While going to Phillips, he worked in security at Kmart. After graduation, he worked for Enid Public Schools, then Lahoma Public Schools as an elementary school teacher and principal. He became superintendent of Lahoma Public Schools and led the district's consolidation with Ames Public Schools to create Cimarron Public Schools. After guiding the new school district for several years, Bill retired again and moved with Sue back to Enid. He then worked for Enid Public Schools again, this time driving a bus. His favorite times were spent driving special needs students to and from school, although he also drove students to out-of-town events. Bill and Sue enjoyed traveling, spending a month in Europe when their daughter and son in-law were stationed with the Air Force in England. They also traveled to see the sights in the United States, including Yellowstone National Park and Mount Rushmore. They traveled frequently to Colorado to visit their grandsons, Bobby and Matt. Later, they welcomed two more grandsons from China, Jake and Jude, making sure they were there to greet them at the airport. Bill and Sue were members of United Church of Lahoma, where he was an elder and held many leadership positions on the board. He also was a longtime Lions Club member, receiving several awards, including Enid Briggs Evening Lions Club Lion of the Year in 1999 and Lions International Foundation Melvin Jones Fellow. He served as Oklahoma Lions Service Foundation president in 2005-06. He also enjoyed working on the club's eyeglass drives and operating the rides at Meadowlake Park. Sue preceded him in death on October 7, 2016, after nearly 60 years of marriage. He missed her greatly and looked forward to the day when they would be reunited. He was the best husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. We know he is in Heaven, rejoicing with Jesus and enjoying being with the love of his life, Sue. We love you Bill, Dad, Grandpa and Great Grandpa. Surviving Bill are his children, Rick Hassler and wife Donna of Enid, Kevin Hassler and wife Violet of Enid, Debra [Hassler] Pringle and husband John of Salina, Okla., and Steven Hassler and wife Doris of Enid; grandchildren, Robert Pringle and wife Klarissa of Nowata, Matthew Pringle and wife Holly of Owasso, and Jacob and Judah Hassler, both of Enid; step-grandson Stephen Hunt of Bartlesville; and great granddaughters, Miley and Mia Deane, both of Owasso. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Sue; his parents; brothers Harold, Kermit and Kervin; and sister Mildred. Memorials may be made through the funeral home to Saint Jude Children's Research Hospital. |
© Enid News and Eagle Enid, Oklahoma October 2016 April 8, 1936 ~ October 7, 2016 The funeral for Mary Sue Hassler will be 10 am Tuesday, October 11, 2016, at United Church of Lahoma, 3rd and Maine. Her grandson, pastor Robert Pringle, and pastor Terry Jewell will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery, Enid. Visitation with family will be 6-7 pm Monday at the funeral home. Arrangements are by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home. She was the best wife, mother and grandmother. We know she is in heaven, rejoicing with Jesus. No longer in pain. We love you Sue, Mom and Grandma. Those who survive Sue are her husband for nearly 60 years, Bill, of the home in Enid; children, Rick Hassler and wife Donna of Enid, Kevin Hassler and wife Violet of Enid, Debra [Hassler] Pringle and husband John of Salina, Okla., and Steven Hassler and wife Doris of Enid; grandchildren, Robert Pringle and wife Klarissa of Nowata, Matthew Pringle and wife Holly of Oklahoma City and Jacob and Judah Hassler, both of Enid; stepgrandson Stephen Hunt of Enid; great granddaughters, Miley and Mia Deane, both of Oklahoma City; sisters, Bernice Lackey, Pauline Huffman, Minnie Powell and Barbara Townsend; brother Tracy Rusk; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, James and Billie Gene; and two sisters, Betty Lou and Ovie. Memorials may be made through the funeral home to United Church of Lahoma or to Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation [OMRF], breast cancer division. Condolences may be made at andersonburris.co |
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