WILLIAM B. HUSSEY

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Boston University University of California Los Angeles U.S. Naval War College

WILLIAM HUSSEY Obituary

HUSSEY WILLIAM B. HUSSEY "Bill" William B. "Bill" Hussey passed on May 25, 2013, after a short bout with pneumonia at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California. He was 97. After spending his childhood in Bellingham, Washington, where his maternal grandparents were pioneers in the then Pacific Northwest Territories, he graduated from Boston University with further studies at UCLA and the Naval War College. He served in his beloved U.S. Navy during World War II, participating in numerous battles in the Pacific theater, and over the years rose to the rank of Captain. Entering the Foreign Service in 1949, he enjoyed a rich and varied diplomatic career serving in England, Germany, Burma, and Thailand followed by postings to Togo, Malawi, and Madagascar as Deputy Chief of Mission and Charge d'Affaires (a.i.) in Lesotho and Mauritius. He also served in the Department of State as Deputy Chief in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. After retiring from the Foreign Service in 1969, he was appointed U.N. Development Program Regional Representative for the Western Pacific working on economic and social development projects throughout the island nations from his base in Apia, Western Samoa. In 1975 he became a foreign affairs consultant to several Fortune 500 companies. In 1981 he was appointed Associate Vice President for International Relations for the L.A. Organizing Committee for the 1984 Olympic Games. Mr. Hussey enjoyed a lifelong devotion to tennis, and he and his wife were nationally ranked in their age groups well into their 80's. He passionately promoted the game throughout the world, helping to establish tennis programs for young players in Africa, Asia, and the South Pacific. In his 90's Mr. Hussey served as co-captain of the Lurie World Cup and in 2012 was named Super Senior Tennis International Sportsman of the Year. His first marriage to Fredricka Boone lasted 18 years. His second marriage was to Piyachart Bunnag, his wife of 54 years. He is survived by his collective family of eight children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. His children include Christina Hussey Schoux of Chevy Chase, MD; Pamela B. Hussey of Santa Barbara, CA; Eva Boone Hussey of Los Angeles, CA; William B. Hussey, Jr. of Boulder, CO; Peter B. Hussey of Weybridge, England; Elizabeth Brinkley of Las Vegas, NV; Ruth Clark of Redwood City, CA; and Phil C. Hussey of Los Angeles, CA. Interment will take place at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, California. To send a condolence or for further information, please visit: www.mccormickandson.com

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Published by The Washington Post on Jun. 2, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM HUSSEY

5 Entries

Annie Charnley

April 10, 2020

Bill was my mother Libby Graves' cousin, nephew of my grandmother Frances Axtell Graves, sister to Bill's mother Ruth Axtell Hussey Burnet. He was a dear fellow, the epitome of a courtly gentleman, quite attentive to mom and gram, mostly through correspondence and phone calls, and occasional visits to Seattle. I don't recall meeting him as a child, but he remembered me. We did connect in 2011 at a Bellingham YWCA luncheon that honored Frances Cleveland Axtell, Bill's grandmother and my great-grandmother. I dressed as a suffragette in her memory: she was a campaigner for votes for women, and saw it successfully passed in Washington state in 1910. Bill was just lovely. We corresponded for several years after my mother died and I had sent him condolences upon her death. He's never too far from my thoughts as we shared an interest in our family heritage and simply enjoyed writing to one another. I treasure the book he wrote about his eventful life. Your memory lives on, dear Cousin Bill.

Jo Collinge

June 6, 2013

I met Bill and Piyachart and several family members two years ago when the YWCA Northwest Hall of Fame honored his grandmother, Frances Axtell. We e-mailed occasionally afterward as he tried to create a living monument to her. As all of us who met him then do, I treasure the memory of an admirable and courtly gentleman who carried his many honors lightly. It was an honor to know him, even briefly.

Joyce Thomas/Erends

June 4, 2013

Eva and Family,
Love and hugs,
Joyce

Thelma Follett

June 3, 2013

I feel very much honored and grateful that I had the privilege of coming to know Bill Hussey in these past few years. His wide-ranging knowledge, fortitude and generosity of spirit will remain an inspiration for me. I am so, so sorry to lose him.

leila poullada

June 2, 2013

Dear Hussey family: I hope to learn more and also how Piyachart is since I last heard from Bill at Christmastime. Among my happiest memories are those from our time together in Togo and so many reunions since in California and other places. A wonderful gentleman and friend. Sofia, Peter and Philip will join in sending our deep sympathy. fondly Leila P

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