January 26, 1936 - February 3, 2023
The funeral for retired Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Wilburn Elroy "Bill" Hassler will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 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 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. Arrangements are by Anderson-Burris Funeral Home and Crematory.
He was born Jan. 26, 1936, in Stockdale, Texas, to Otto and Ella Hassler, and passed away at Golden Oaks nursing home Friday, Feb. 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, Nov. 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 Oct. 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 St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Condolences can be made to the family online at Andersonburris.com. Honored to be recognized nationally, the past 6 years, for the Pursuit of Excellence award. Because family matters, let us take care of yours. We are proud to own the only crematory in Garfield county and ensure your loved one receives the care and respect they deserve while never leaving our care. Visit 3002 N. Van Buren, Enid, OK 73703. Call: (580) 233-2700.
Obituaries are posted, in part, due to the generosity of The Commons.
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