William Lee Lassetter

William Lee Lassetter William Lee Lassetter passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 2, 2010, at his home on Reynard Woods Road in Albemarle County with his wife, Lila, family and close friends at his side.

His brother, Robert Neel Lassetter of Jacksonville, Florida, preceded him in death.

Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lila Burney Lassetter; his son, William Lee Lassetter Jr. and his wife, Julie Ann, of Albemarle County; his daughter, Katherine Lassetter Symanski and her husband, Raymond, of Arlington, Virginia; and son, Neel McAndrew Lassetter and Jessica Bayliss Brown of Alexandria, Virginia; together with three grandchildren, Annabel and Lelle Symanski, and Ian Lassetter.

Bill was born in Macon, Georgia, on February 21, 1928, one of two sons of Laura Neel and Robert Lee Lassetter. Bill and Lila, his future wife, grew up as childhood neighbors in the North Highlands area of Macon, and shared many fond memories of their youth there. He attended the University of Georgia, graduating in 1948 with a B.S. degree in Chemistry. In 1950, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he worked as an airborne radar systems mechanic while based in Manchester, England. While serving he traveled whenever possible, hiking the hills of northern Scotland, and touring the many archeological sites in Italy. Upon completion of his tour of service, he enrolled in the engineering program at Georgia Tech, where he completed his B.E.E. degree in electrical engineering.

Bill and Lila were married on July 21, 1956 in Macon, and moved shortly thereafter to Charlottesville, where Bill began his working career as an electrical engineer with Sperry Marine Systems. Bill also completed post-graduate course work in electrical engineering at the University of Virginia.

Bill was a faithful supporter of the Charlottesville and University Symphony Orchestra, as well as an avid patron of the Culbreth Theatre. With his love and ear for music, he challenged himself to play various instruments including the oboe and violin, before settling on the cello. The latter years of his life were spent in joyful if not mostly harmonious accompaniment to Lila's piano, and they together enjoyed many beautiful works of Bach, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Dvorak and others. He was an active member of St. Paul's Memorial Church, where he found a special peace and serenity in the musical programs.

Husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend, scientist, musician, historian, tennis enthusiast, and friend to animals, Bill was a paragon of discipline and compassion and will be missed greatly by all who knew him. Before his passing, Bill enjoyed many days with his children and grandchildren at his side.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held in a memorial service at St. Paul's Memorial Church at 1700 University Avenue, 2 p.m. Sunday, October 17, 2010.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in the memory of William Lee Lassetter may be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911, or the Charlottesville and University Symphony Orchestra, P.O. Box 4206, Charlottesville, VA 22905.



This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.