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Age, 39, of North Canton
was taken from his family unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at the Highland Hills, Juvenile Correction Facility. He was born on April 17, 1970 in Columbus, Ohio to the late Dwight L. Hesson and Elizabeth I. Smith. Bill dedicated his life to the service of our country and protecting the freedom of our way of life. He was a Ranger in the US Army, with 74 parachute jumps. Bill served in the conflicts, in Iraq, Bosnia, Haiti and Somalia. Service related injuries from his final jump forced Bill to end his military service. Bill continued his service to our community by becoming a Corrections Officer for the State of Ohio. He was highly regarded by his supervisors and co-workers for his compassion in dealing with the juvenile offenders on his watch. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his grandparents, David Edgar and Ina Mae Bouscher and Uncle Raymond Bouscher. Bill is survived by his beautiful and loving wife, Julia; son, Skyler; daughters, Brandi and Riley and son, Mason who will be born on September 1, 2009; sisters, Michele and Francis Hesson; brothers, Roy and Gene Hesson and George and Maxwell Smith and their spouses and his nieces and nephews. The sorrow of Bill's loving family and friends will know no end. Bill's love, his compassion and his smile will live in our hearts for a lifetime. The evil that ended his young life cannot take him from us. Bill is now in the loving arms of his God who will forever reward him for the love and devotion he gave to his wife, children and his entire family for his service to all mankind. Funeral services will be conducted on Tuesday, May 5, 2009 at 10 a.m. in the Reed Funeral Home North Canton Chapel (801 Pittsburg Ave. NW).with Pastor Scott Rosen officiating. Burial will follow in the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. The family will receive friends in the funeral home on Monday, May 4 from 4 to 8 p.m.. Those wishing to share a fond memory or their condolences may sign the Reed on-line guestbook at our website www.reedfuneralhome.com
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Michele Marzich (Kennedy)
Motorcycle club, friends, family honor fallen officer--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Melissa Griffy Seeton
CantonRep.com staff report
Posted Jun 14, 2009 @ 10:34 PM
Last update Jun 15, 2009 @ 06:07 PM
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AKRON — Deep growls rumbled inside custom pipes and the distinct roar of Harley-Davidsons surrounded Julia Hesson on Sunday, bringing a smile to her face.
Her blue eyes brightened with each handshake as she greeted hundreds of bikers who’d made their way to Gala Commons to ride in honor of the man she called husband, soul mate, best friend and the father of her children.
He was the man who she “wrapped (her) entire life around.” But Hesson never would have imagined that life would unravel in an instant. One morning, he was here. The next, he was gone.
On April 29, William “Bill” Hesson made his way from his North Canton home to the Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility, where he worked.
As a corrections officer, the 39-year-old’s hope was to make a difference in the lives of the youth there; he never would have dreamed one would end up taking his.
A 17-year-old from Erie County has been charged with William Hesson’s death. According to the Cuyahoga County coroner, Hesson died from blunt impact to his abdomen (Hesson was kneed near his liver), which disturbed his heart rhythm.
“This is something you are never prepared for,” said Julia Hesson, who, at 27, never could have imagined herself a widow, left to raise their 20-month-old daughter and unborn son. “But I know I have to go on because of Riley and Mason (due Sept. 1). I can do nothing less than keep Bill’s memory alive.”
TRAGIC LOSS
Julia has good days and bad, and some that just leave her feeling numb. Sunday wasn’t one of those. The sun was shining. She was surrounded by family and friends, and even those who didn’t know her husband, came out to show their support.
“The proof is in the pudding,” she said. “I am a very proud wife but to know he is honored and respected by so many people, people I have never met, is a (testament) to who he was.”
The Warthogs Rubber City Chapter, a national motorcycle club for police, fire, corrections and officers of the court, sponsored the memorial motorcycle ride to raise funds for Julia, and Hesson’s children, Brandi, 19, Skyler, 17, Riley, 20 months, and unborn son Mason. Hesson had not worked at the juvenile facility long enough to qualify for death benefits.
“It really hit home for me, for someone to lose their life so tragically,” said Jeff Parsons of Uniontown, an employee of the Ohio Department of Youth Services, who helped organize the event. “I didn’t know Bill, but I heard he was active in the military and survived 70-some jumps, then to come back and lose his life to a 17-year-old is just so tragic.”
Hesson was a ranger in the U.S Army’s 82nd Airborne Division for nearly a decade, completing 74 parachute jumps before an injury ended his service in 1999. He served in Iraq, Bosnia, Haiti and Somalia.
Gene Hesson, one of Bill’s brothers, rented a motorcycle just to participate in Sunday’s ride.
“It’s such an honor,” said Hesson of Uniontown. “It’s hard. I never wanted to lose a brother. Honestly, it hasn’t really hit me, yet. I’m sure, after today, it will.”
The bikers rode to Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, where Hesson is buried. They marched in their leathers from their bikes to his gravesite, where they laid a wreath in his memory.
LASTING LEGACY
Friends say Hesson was the kind of guy who’d make you laugh if you were feeling down. He was both a “guy’s guy” and “a family man.” He loved the Miami Dolphins, and named his dog “Marino.”
Mark Emigh enjoyed playing cornhole with Hesson and watching UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). The two became quick friends after being introduced about four years ago.
“Bill was a genuinely nice guy,” said Emigh of Canton. “He was humorous and easy to get along with. He had a way of making people feel comfortable.”
Russel Stoltz of Greentown said he’d known Hesson since grade school.
“He thought about everyone else before himself,” Stoltz said. “If you were sad, he’d find a way to make you laugh.”
Julia Hesson said her husband of four years was “the most loving and caring man I could have asked for.
“He stood for laughter and fun. He lightened the mood with a joke or even a smile. He did that naturally.”
A child at heart, Julia plans to instill her husband’s legacy in their children.
“I want them to know their dad was a very hands-on, get-down-on-the-floor-and-play type of dad,” she said. “Nothing lit up his days more.”
HOW TO DONATE
Donations can by sent to Bill Muncy, Warthogs Rubber City Chapter Treasurer, 1177 Woodland St., Hartville, OH 44632