William Thomas Waas

William Thomas Waas (1930-2025) was born in Fernandina, Florida of Willette Victoria Hale Waas and Glyndon Heidt Waas. He is survived by his loving wife, Lane Longino Waas and their blended family of Joseph “Joe” and Lisa Waas (Fernandina, FL); Sue and David Hilburn (Marietta, GA); Lisa McCullough (Roswell, GA); Ann and Bill Stewart (East Hampton, NY) and Skip and Susie Fristoe (Charleston, SC) as well as eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren: Morgan Waas, William “Will” Cooper Waas, Wilder McCullough, Katharine Hilburn, Caroline and Sean DeSantis, Caly Stewart, Fairleigh Stewart, C.L. Fristoe, Nora DeSantis and Henry DeSantis. His daughter Victoria “Vicki” Waas Normoyle, his brother Glyndon “Glyn” Heidt Waas Jr. and his sister Elizabeth “Betty” Waas David-Feener predeceased him.

From 1951-1955, during the Korean conflict, Bill served on LST 516 in the United States Navy. After his discharge, he was self-employed as the owner of Southeast Express, an inter- and intra-state Florida-based trucking company.

Bill was a jokester who saw himself as an introvert. He was loved by his family and friends. His interests were varied and included oil-painting of landscapes; photography; building of fine cabinetry including home furnishings; and constructing his own homes including a lighthouse on the coast of Amelia Island, FL, two homes on the island marsh, and three North Carolina mountain houses. He also provided computer programming for several North Carolina summer camps, Deerfield and several other organizations. He loved to travel in the Southwest United States, particularly southern Utah and northern Arizona. He would visit “every time I get a chance”, which after retirement was often. Bill and Lane traveled to the Southwest 39 times!

Bill was an artist and art connoisseur. His family had been artists, and he took up art quite naturally as a young man, continuing throughout his life. He was instrumental in the creation of the Fernandina Beach Shrimp Boat Festival and Art Show and served as President of the Island Art Association. He served as Co-Chairman of the Deerfield Community Art Show and participated in ongoing exhibits of residents’ art. He was one of the 5 Deerfield “Art Pioneers”.

A Memorial Service for Bill will be held August 30, 2025, at 11:00 AM, in the Chapel on the Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community campus. Instead of flowers, donations may be made to Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community’s Habitat for Humanity Fund or Residency Fund, 1617 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Thomas Waas, please visit our floral store.