William ‘Bill’ James Hecht

Posted

(Feb. 28, 1922 - Nov. 25, 2012)

William “Bill” James Hecht died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012 at Powell Valley Hospital from complications following a stroke. He was 90.

Bill was born on Feb. 28, 1922 in Powell and was the seventh and youngest child born to Harry Haskell and Anna Caldarar Siegall Hecht. Bill was raised on a farm just one mile south of Powell where his father had homesteaded in 1907. Bill attended Powell schools and graduated at age 16, then attended Northwestern University in Chicago where he majored in accounting. Bill’s older brothers, Maurice and Henry, were also Northwestern graduates and they were lifelong supporters of the college and the various Northwestern teams.

Bill returned to Powell where he married a hometown girl, Lillian Harrod on June 19, 1941. Bill served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was stationed in San Diego. Following Bill’s service in the Navy, the family settled in San Diego where Bill eventually became a partner and part owner of a large seafood exporting business. Bill was an active member of the Elks Lodge in San Diego and became Exalted Ruler in San Diego. He was an avid golfer and enjoyed watching all types of sports.

He and Lillian purchased a vacation home at Warner Springs, and they spent much time there where Bill served on the Board of Directors for the resort and Lillian cooked and entertained the numerous people who flocked to this Hecht retreat. They also enjoyed traveling worldwide and experienced many exciting adventures in these travels.

Upon his retirement in 1990, Bill and Lillian decided to return to Powell where they enjoyed renewing old friendships and making new friends. The couple purchased a winter home in Green Valley, Ariz. and spent several winters there while continuing to travel. Lillian died on Aug. 24, 1996. Bill continued to live in his home until 2008 when he moved to the Heartland. He enjoyed playing cards, his Yoga classes, the van rides and the entertainment at the Heartland, and he always praised the staff highly.

Bill is survived by his only child, daughter Diane Gordinier and two grandsons, Michael and Steven, all of Santa Rosa, Calif. He is also survived by one niece, Jean Hecht Godden of Seattle, Wash.; and three nephews, Harry Richard Hecht of Maui, Hawaii, Thomas Hecht of Springfield, Ill. and Harry George Hecht of Brookings, S.D. His niece by marriage, Jackie Hecht, wife of the late Robert Hecht, attended to his needs in Powell.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers Harry Haskell, Jr., Maurice, George and Henry; two sisters Mae and Claire; one nephew Robert Hecht; and two nieces, Peggy Percival Johnson and Betty Hecht Boyce. Bill was very fond of his nieces and nephews and kept in close contact with them.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 28 at Thompson Funeral Home with visitation and viewing at 1 p.m.

Burial will follow the services at Crown Hill Cemetery. Thompson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be sent to the family at www.thompsonfuneral.net or P.O. Box 807, Powell, WY 82435.

Comments