William Waite Hausinger
William (Bill) Waite Hausinger Jr., 85, of Friendswood, TX died peacefully at home on June 6, 2020. He was born November 9, 1934 in Houston, TX, the only child of Margaret Hausinger and William (Bill) Hausinger Sr. Bill is survived by his devoted wife Ann Hausinger; children Sheryl Hausinger and husband John M. Mulvahill, William (Billy) Hausinger III, Susan Tinnin and husband Bobby; grandchildren John S. Mulvahill and wife Elizabeth, Scott Mulvahill, Sara Holland and husband Steve, Ashley Graham and husband Cody, Hunter Hausinger, Chelsea Krakowiak and husband Josh, and Craig Tinnin; great grandchildren Claire, Grace and John Paul Mulvahill, Daphne Graham and Emma Krakowiak; brother-in-law Rodney Preuit and wife Sandra. Bill was preceded in death by his son Glen Hausinger, grandson Chance Hausinger, daughter-in-law Sharon Hausinger, and great grandchildren Ivy and Sophie Graham. With respect for his wishes there will not be a funeral service. Bill planned his 80th birthday party with his many family and friends and considered that celebration to be in lieu of any funeral (as he said: “and with door prizes, which you can’t get at a funeral”). Interment of his ashes will be at the VA Cemetery, Houston, TX, privately with family.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
Bill met Ann at age 15. They rode the same bus to school when he attended St. Thomas High School and she attended Washington Junior High. He enjoyed relating how they “held hands through the fence” that separated their adjacent schools. Bill and Ann married at age 18, on September 19, 1953. They were married for 66 years, or as he would say: “132 years if you count us both.” He enjoyed introducing her to others as his “first wife Ann.” He joined the Houston Fire Department at age 21. He was Deputy Chief over Fire Alarm when he retired in 1976, and served on the Houston Firefighters pension board as a retiree. He served in the United States Submarine Ready Reserve from 1952 to 1964. He was a member of the International Longshoreman’s Association, Union 1351. He was a welder. He was a shrimper, dragging his nets in Galveston Bay on the “Miss Ann.” Bill loved his family, he loved God and the Church, and had a great fondness for praying the rosary. He was a member of Mary Queen Catholic Church. Bill found great entertainment value in practical jokes. He loved getting an early start on the day. He enjoyed supervising others in their projects, and usually thought of a better way to do or fix things and didn’t mind telling you. He had a great talent and eagerness for repairing items that otherwise would be destined for the trash. With a welding torch or a metal lathe he could fabricate a part or find a solution to many problems. He was a tinkerer, a collector of tools, and his garage was often filled with the whir of a saw, the roar of the welding torch, and the scent of fresh saw dust. He loved teaching his grandchildren how to use tools to disassemble or reassemble old abandoned items such as manual typewriters. He loved visiting with family and friends, telling stories (especially to grandkids), blues music, and writing the date of purchase on everything. His hobbies included sailing, motorcycling, and traveling across the country by railroad. Even as his vision deteriorated he found ways to make the most of life. He loved connecting people, planning reunions and writing newsletters for groups such as former classmates from Immaculate Conception grade school, St. Thomas High School and retired Houston Firefighters.
He will be missed by many.
This guy is one of my cherished life memories. He’d show up on my porch or in my office door and was always welcomed. He would give me directions on how to do stuff I have done a hundred times and I would smile and pay attention. He never failed to deliver a story worth listening to or a helping hand whenever one was needed. My days with Bill either at his place or mine were good days. Every time. . Sometimes when a person passes it is hard to picture them as they were. Bill was Bill every day and that picture of him will always be clear as a bell in my mind’s eye. My one regret is not having returned his last phone call in time. And my joy is that there were many other times I did. It might be a hello or a train ride story or another invitation to go see Tony’s car collection or Terry’s firemen’s museum. Or on the odd occasion, Volunteering to come have a bourbon at my place. Always fun.
A favorite memory is when he put himself into the hospital after falling off a curb post-Harvey. He knew he goofed up. He called me to tell me he was in the hospital and why. I think maybe on the off chance I’d sympathize. And he asked me what I thought about that. I said “dumb things happen to dumbasses.” And we had a chuckle. Look up “stubborn” in the dictionary in a couple years. Bill’s picture may be there.
Maybe the best thing one guy can say about another guy is that he is just a good guy. Bill was just a good guy. In his core, past the occasional rough edge and practical joke gone awry and complete and total stubborness—-he was just a good guy. He loved that big family of his—-talked about you guys often and fondly—-loved his friends and loved that Saint of a woman he lived with.
I will truly, truly miss this guy. He was a good friend.
I was surprised and very sad to come across Bill’s obituary by chance as I was looking up his address a few days ago.
Like Allen, I too have some wonderful memories of Bill. As an “across the street” neighbor/friend for many years I had the fortune of getting to know Bill and Ann. Since we moved after Hurricane Harvey, it’s been about a year since I last saw Bill by chance. I was riding my bike with Roy and saw Bill sitting outside.
My first “close encounter” with Bill was at an HOA meeting when I volunteered to write a neighborhood newsletter. Bill came by the house right away to express his appreciation and had ideas of setting it up. We made a list of neighbors to interview. He continued to be helpful from the time it started.
He was the best neighbor…always watching out for us and others on the block…keeping up informed of his railroad trips around the country…often to various fire stations. Bill always was happy to share and explain the various gadgets he received to help with visual tasks. We’d often see him riding his bike with the bright orange vest and helmet.
Over the years Bill shared his many experiences…his love and pride of Ann, and all his family, fire department, friends. He had a heart of gold.
Bill went he extra mile for my niece’s son, Ben, a bright 7 year old with cerebral palsy who was fascinated by fire trucks and firemen. I asked Bill if he knew the owner of the antique fire truck nearby. I wanted to check to see if it would be possible for Ben to visit and take a look at the truck. To my surprise
Bill contacted the owner of the truck and arranged him to drive by the house.
The owner of the truck took Ben, his brother and mom for a ride! When they came back we heard loud sirens coming from another huge fire truck. The Friendswood Fire Dept. arrived and stopped in front of the house and asked for Ben. He was thrilled beyond anyone’s expectations and started walking with his walker!!! They took him for a ride with sirens blaring and then stayed a while to visit. Bill arranged this incredible experience which Ben and all of us will never forget! (And of course he brought Blue Bell ice cream to the Firemen to express appreciation).
This is one of many experiences shared with Bill. He added much to our lives and he will be missed. I send much warmth and love to Ann and the family.