William H. Haas, 74, of Seneca, Kansas, died Monday, September 25, 2000, at his home in Seneca. His death was due to an apparent heart attack.

He was born November 26, 1925, in Waterloo, Iowa, the son of George H. and Gladys Long Haas. When he was six months old, the family moved to Lincoln, Kansas, where he attended Lincoln public schools and graduated from high school in 1944. Shortly thereafter he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in England, France and Germany in the intelligence department. After his discharge in 1946, he returned to Lincoln. He later enrolled at Emporia State Teacher’s College, graduating in 1954.

On September 3, 1950, he married Miriam Sue Cassaday at the First Congregational Church in Emporia, Kansas. She survives of the home in Seneca. They lived in Emporia and later in Jewel, Wilsey and Arkansas City, where he taught from 1957 to 1965. In the summer of 1965 they moved to Seneca where Bill taught social studies and U.S. government at the Seneca Public High School, and later Nemaha Valley High School, until his retirement in 1989.

He was a member of the Kansas National Guard and was activated in 1968 for two years at Fort Carlson, Colorado during the Vietnam War. He attained the rank of Master Sergeant and retired after 30 years of service. He and his wife recently celebrated their golden wedding anniversary with a trip to Colorado with some of their children.

He was a member of the Seneca Memorial Post #7458 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Seneca Earl W. Taylor Post #21 of the American Legion, and the National Educational Association.

Survivors besides his wife Sue are six sons, Dan Haas of Overland Park, Kansas, Charles Haas of West Hills, California, Mark Haas of Lawrence, Kansas, and John, Fritz, and Steven Haas, all of Seneca; two daughters, Linda Jordan of Arkansas City, Kansas and Kathie Wiltfong of Seneca; three sisters, Clara Belle Mason of Salina, Kansas, Della Palmer of Wasilla, Alaska, and Donna Thomas of Avilla, Missouri; 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Graveside service with full military honors will be held at 10 AM Thursday, September 28, at the Seneca City Cemetery. Family and friends will meet at 9:30 AM at Lauer Funeral Home and proceed to the cemetery. A visitation will be held from 7 to 8 PM on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be given for Nemaha Valley High School or the World War II Memorial, and sent in care of the family.