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William F. Sass

05/04/1929 - 12/16/2020
Service Date: 01/11/1921
Service Location: Bunker's University Chapel, 3529 E. University Drive, Mesa, Arizona

Beloved Husband, Dad, Bonus Dad, Brother, Uncle, Grandfather, & Great Grandfather – William F. Sass (Bill), 91, of Gilbert, AZ, passed away on December 16, 2020 in Gilbert, AZ.  Previously from St. Paul, MN.

A private Funeral service will be held on January 11, 2020 at Bunker Family Funeral | Cremation, with a Celebration of Life Memorial in Minnesota on a date to be determined once the Coronavirus Pandemic is over and it’s safe to gather. (An announcement will follow.) Burial will be at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minnesota at a later date.

Arrangements are by Bunker Family Funeral | Cremation, University Chapel, 3529 E University Dr, Mesa, AZ 85213

Bill was born in St.Paul, Minnesota to Louis and Elsie Sass in 1929.  At age 25, He married Mary (Waska) Kroll.  They were married for 22 years and had five children.  He lived in St. Paul and Maplewood, until his retirement from the Ramsey County Sheriff Department and moved to Tucson, AZ where he met Charlene Wagonlander and they were married on May 1, 1985 in Tucson, AZ.

He was a veteran of the Korean war and served as a Sgt. in the Army as an Engineer Mechanic and was awarded Good Conduct Metal.  During His career in Minnesota, He worked for Maplewood Police Dept and for the Ramsey County Sheriff Office where he rose in the ranks to Detective Lt. for the Ramsey County Sheriffs Dept for many years.  He once worked 3 jobs, for Art’s Towing as a mechanic restoring cars, and the two police depts at the same time.

He was involved in the Moose Lodge, American Legion and the Elks Club.  He retired and moved Arizona for health reasons, and he loved it there. He loved to travel, and visit family in Minnesota.  Bill loved his big extended family, and he liked to get together to play cards, to bowl, golf, bike, and walk. Bill did everything he could, to make his family happy.

Bill is preceded in death by Father and Mother, Louis & Elsie Sass; Brothers; Harry, Louis (Mickey), Franklin (Frank), Herbert (Herb); Sisters; Laura (Linder), Marie (Mohrlant), Ellen (Triemert), Ruth (Swanson); Son; William Herbert Sass, Bonus Daughter; Carrie Brown, Son-In-Law; Chris Johnson, Many Nieces and Nephews.

Bill is survived by his loving Wife; Charlene, Brother; James (Jim), Children; Jannet Johnson, Glenn Sass, Marie (Mark) Cromett, Gene Sass, Bonus children; Kim & John Wilcox, Susan Wagonlander, (Clay) Brown; Grandchildren; Christopher (Annissa), Anne, Mary (Ian), Tom, Katie (Beni); Jessie, Joe, Dustin (Sarah), Ashley (Cortlann), Alex, Erich, Samantha (Brandon), Tyler, Chase, & Cailyn, Great-Grandchildren; Joseph, Magnus, Makarious, Kenny, Lucas, Logan, Joe Jr. Freya, Ida, & Penelope. Many special nieces and nephews, whom he HAD to visit each time he was in Minnesota.

Memorials or donations preferred, may be given to Hospice of the Valley 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014. Or online at: https://www.hov.org/donate/donate-now/

The family of Bill wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Wendy Hendrickson, RN, who visited him weekly at home, and all the staff of Hospice in the Valley who cared for him and made him comfortable.

A sincere thanks & appreciation from Bill’s Children, to Momma Charlene, for being there for our Dad.  She has given the most loving & selfless care to our Dad in his time of need.

Condolences

  • thank you! Nicely said

  • Kathleen Anderson (Sass)

    I am his great-niece (Kathy), of Uncle Bill. He was a wonderful guy. All I remember him was “Sass Family Reunions” and his stories from my mother, Leticia, whom she remember him as a cop for St. Paul, Minnesota and very down-to-earth man. Open arms with “HUGS” You will be missed.

  • Lynne( Farrell) Hastings

    He was my Uncle Bill, and he shaped me from a rotten kid to be a better person. I was his flower girl when he married my Aunt Mary. He’s come and get me and bring me over to visit and play with Janet Sass when she was a baby. I will never forget or stop loving him for as long as I live. Good bye Uncle Bill and thank you so .much for being in my life. RIP 🙏♥️❤️

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