William (Bill) Hass, Jr., of Valley City, North Dakota passed away Saturday, February 5, 2022 in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
Visitation will be Friday, February 11, 2022 from 5:00-7:00 pm, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at Grace Free Lutheran Church, Valley City. The funeral service will be 10:30 am, Saturday, February 12 at the church with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Hillside Cemetery in the spring.
William (Bill) Albert Hass Jr was born January 27th, 1931 on his family farm in Ashtabula Township, Barnes County, North Dakota. Bill died at Aspirus Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin surrounded by his children on February 5th, 2022. Bill attended Alderman School in District #73 until 8th grade. Bill attended Valley City High School from 1945 – 1946 before going to live with his sister, Mildred, and attending High School from 1947 – 1949 in Bowdle, South Dakota. Bill received his GED while serving in the Army. After high school Bill held various jobs before returning to North Dakota to help his dad on the farm. Bill was working for North Western Bell until receiving his draft notice for the Army. Bill was drafted in 1952, served 16 months in Germany, and was discharged January 27th, 1954 and was awarded the Army Occupation Medal and National Defense Service Medal. After being discharged from the Army Bill returned home to help his dad on the farm and worked for the United States Ag Department testing cattle. In 1957, Bill worked for Lockheed Aircraft in California. After meeting his love, Aggie, in 1954, Bill was confirmed and they were married on September 15th, 1957. In 1966, Bill and Aggie moved home to the farm where he was born and farmed as a family until 1977. During these years, they were blessed with 4 sons and a daughter, William III, Michael, Richard, Timothy, and Kristine. Later in life Bill and family were blessed to reconnect with his daughter, Susie. In 1977, Bill and Aggie parked the machinery, sold the cattle, and rented out the farmland. The family took a long vacation and traveled the western half of the United States. In 1980, after hosting the Barnes County 60th Annual picnic at the farm, Bill started working for AAA. Bill retired from AAA in 1992 and enjoyed helping other farmers though his retirement when he wasn’t traveling and visiting his children and grandchildren. In 2006, Bill and Aggie moved from the farm into Valley City. Bill and Aggie spent their retirement years traveling and visiting their children, grandchildren, friends and relatives. Bill loved to listen to music, was an avid NDSU Bison Football fan, and never got see the Vikings win a Super Bowl. He cherished spending time with his grandchildren and could always find something to do on the farm. Bill was a 4-H leader and was awarded the Pearl Clover Service award. He was a member of the Eagles and VFW, was an Honorary Chapter Farmer member of the FFA, and active member of Grace Free Lutheran Church.
Bill is survived by his Children: Susie (Tom) Paasch, William (Linda) Hass III, Michael (Sherry) Hass, Richard (Jeannie) Hass, Tim (Vicki) Hass, and Kristine (Rick) Smith; 21 Grandchildren, 22 Great Grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Bill is also survived by his special friend Sherry Purdy.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Agnes (Aggie) Hass, his parents William Sr and Ethel Hass, Brothers and Sisters Jane Olson, Margaret Bolliger, Mildred Hoven, Edward Hass, Walter Hass, and Robert Hass.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Oliver-Nathan Funeral Chapel, Valley City. An online guestbook is available at olivernathanchapel.com