William Haase III
Daniel Island, S.C. — William R. Haase III, of Daniel Island, S.C., (and Fishers Island, N.Y., for 27 years) passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 9, 2018.
Bill was born on Sept. 22, 1925, in Bridgeport, son of William R. Haase Jr. and Josephine Goggins. He attended the former Chapman Technical High School in New London, where he was on the baseball team as well as on the Electric Boat baseball team. In March of his senior year, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force and, due to his strong math skills, was chosen to attend navigation training in the Aviation cadet program. After an honorable discharge in 1945, he signed a contract to play shortstop with the New York Giants, much to his parents’ dismay. One year later, playing with The Hickory Baseball Club, Bill decided that returning to college was a better choice, and he was accepted to Syracuse University, where he graduated with a double major in physical education and mathematics in 1950.
Along with his first math teaching position in Delhi, N.Y., he was both the basketball and baseball coach. It was also where he met his wife of 65 years, Mary Alice “Petey” Catlin Haase. He retired in 1985, after 35 years working in the education field as a teacher, guidance counselor, principal and superintendent of school districts. During those years, Bill continued his studies and earned his master’s and doctorate degrees in education.
His love of sports qualified Bill as a member of the College Basketball Official Association. He officiated college level basketball games in the New York state college system for over a decade. His ultimate dream, but never fulfilled, was to officiate in Madison Square Garden.
In addition to his wife Petey, he is survived by his daughters Leslie “Lee” Harper of Daniel Island, S.C., and Paula Wojtcuk of Gilbert, Ariz.; his daughter-in-law Laurie Whiting of Gales Ferry; his grandchildren Shawn Wojtcuk and his wife Sarah of Waddell, Ariz., Eric Wojtuck and his wife Kyla of Peoria, Ariz., Will and Catlin Harper of Daniel Island, S.C.; and his great-grandchildren Kyle and Harper Wojtuck of Waddell, Ariz. He was predeceased by his son William R. Haase IV.
Bill, being Bill, lived life to the fullest with his family and friends and always enjoyed a party. In keeping with his wishes, please join us from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 22, for a celebration of his life, in The Gallery at The Daniel Island Club, 600 Island Park Drive, Daniel Island, S.C.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation, attn: Harper Fund, 1201 SE Indian St., Stuart, FL 34997, or Regency Hospice, 2170 Ashley Phosphate Road, Suite 110, North Charleston, SC 29406, or a charity of the donor’s choice.