William Hauserman II

William Franklin Hauserman II (Bill), age 74, passed away peacefully and surrounded by his family at his home in Decatur, Georgia, on July 12, 2024, following a long and brave battle with cancer.

Bill was born and raised in Mansfield, Ohio. When he was a teenager he and his family moved to Atlanta, where he graduated from North Fulton High School. He was a 1971 graduate of North Georgia College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science. While at North Georgia, Bill commanded the Blue Ridge Rifles and was a member of Rex Fraternity (now known as Sigma Nu). Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the United States Army in the Military Police Corps, achieving the rank of Captain. He later earned a master's degree in public administration from Pepperdine University.

In 1975, Bill married his college sweetheart, Joanne Thrasher. Together they lived in Heidelberg, Germany, Fort McClellan, Fort Gordon, and Fort Benning. They then settled in Decatur, where they lived for more than 40 years. Bill and Joanne recently celebrated their 49th wedding anniversary.

Following his honorable discharge from the Army, Bill worked as a business consultant for Kepner-Tregoe for 17 years, traveling the country as well as overseas to advise various clients on improving process management. He then worked for 22 years with longtime friend and business partner Vinny Amatulli at Application Solutions Group. During his extensive business travels, Bill made friends all over the world. Bill also taught English as a Second Language courses to refugees for eight years at Georgia Technical College, a role that he found to be most fulfilling. He enjoyed meeting and helping people from different countries.

Bill was known for his quick wit, wry sense of humor, and his intelligent insights on almost every subject. He loved his family and was actively involved in their lives, attending sporting events and performances for his children and grandchildren and texting and calling multiple times a day. Bill loved nothing more than being with his children and grandchildren. He was truly in his element around them, always but especially on family beach vacations, which he looked forward to each year.

Playing golf and going on semi-annual golf trips with his buddies Frank Brock, Don Hooten, and Ross Powell was also a highlight of every year. He always made waffles - as well as his own rules for golf - on these trips. Bill was famous for his roaring fires on the patio for happy hour, telling stories and laughing with neighbors for hours on end.

Bill was well read and spent quiet hours every day reading with his faithful cat, Charlie, on his lap. A trivia fan, Bill also watched Jeopardy every night.

Bill was a longtime member of Decatur First United Methodist Church, where he was active in the Debtors Sunday School class. He served multiple terms as class President and Treasurer, and he particularly enjoyed (and shined) in his role on the permanent baked bean committee with close friends Don Hooten, John Robinson, and Walter Vaughan for the class's annual BBQ fundraiser. He also served several terms as chair of the church's Trustees and Missions committees, and he volunteered for many mission trips with the United Methodist Committee on Relief and Appalachia Service Project, as well as countless other church outreach and fundraiser events.

Bill could often be found providing volunteer support for Decatur First United Methodist Preschool & Kindergarten, where Joanne served as a teacher and director for 37 years. In addition, he volunteered with I CARE by driving seniors in DeKalb County who needed transportation to appointments and with the Decatur High School Booster Club, where he grilled hundreds of hamburgers and hot dogs at various school and community events over the years.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, William Redding Hauserman and Mary Jones Hauserman, of Largo, Florida.

Bill is survived and loved by his wife, Joanne; his children, Philip Hauserman (Ashley) and Jill Young (Michael); and his grandchildren, Emma Hauserman, Henry Hauserman, and Dean Young.

The family thanks the medical communities of Northside and Emory for their compassionate care of Bill during his many visits. We are grateful for having five more years with Bill after his cancer diagnosis. We are also grateful to the Hospice and Personal Care nurses for their kindness during his last days.

A service to celebrate Bill's life will be held Sunday, August 11, at 2 PM at Decatur First United Methodist Church, with Reverend Dr. David Naglee and Reverend Frank Brock officiating. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to The DeKalb Library Foundation, Friends of Refugees, Decatur Emergency Assistance Ministry, Decatur Cooperative Ministry, or the Mission Fund of Decatur First United Methodist Church.