William Henry Mason, 91, of Hesston, Kan., died April 28, 2021, at Schowalter Villa. He was born March 23, 1930, to John and Areta (Stark) Mason in Three Rivers, Mich.
He graduated from Tremont High School in Illinois in 1949. On Aug. 12, 1950, he married Ruth Nafziger at Hopedale Mennonite Church in Illinois, and they shared nearly 71 years together.
His early professional life included marketing for a farm equipment company and a position with an advertising agency. In 1970 he accepted an invitation from Hesston College President Laban Peachey to head west to Kansas to join the staff of the college as director of student life. This life-changing move to working for the Mennonite church and becoming a teacher and mentor to hundreds of young people reshaped his life. In 2011, he retired from teaching at Hesston College. During the 40 years prior to that, he had served 28 of them at HC in staff/faculty roles including public relations, student services, admissions and as a business instructor.
Survivors include his wife, Ruth; four children, Stephanie Mason of Maryland, Bill (Lorna) Mason Jr. of Michigan, Jim (Becky) Mason of Kansas and Phil (Cindy) Mason of Indiana; a brother, Jerry Mason of Idaho; a niece, Joy (Avin Carter) Bailey of Texas; six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a brother, John Mason Jr.
A celebration of life service was held at Hesston Mennonite Church, where he was a member. Memorial contributions may be made to Hesston College, Mennonite Central Committee or Mennonite Economic Development Associates.
