William James Hecht

William “Bill” James Hecht was born on February 28, 1922 in Powell, Wyoming. He passed away on November 25, 2012 at the Powell Hospital from complications following a stroke.
Bill was the seventh and youngest child born to Harry Haskell and Anna Caldarar Siegall Hecht. Bill was raised on a farm just one mile south of Powell where his father had homesteaded in 1907. Bill attended Powell Schools and graduated at age 16, following which he went to Chicago to attend Northwestern University where he majored in accounting. Bill’s older brothers, Maurice and Henry were also Northwestern graduates and they were life-long supporters of the college and the various Northwestern teams.
Bill returned to Powell where he married a hometown girl, Lillian Harrod on June 19, 1941. . Bill served in the US Navy during World War II and was stationed in San Diego. Following Bill’s service in the Navy, the family settled in San Diego where Bill eventually became a partner and part owner of a large seafood exporting business. Bill was an active member of the Elks Lodge in San Diego and became Exalted Ruler in San Diego.  He was an avid golfer and enjoyed watching all types of sports. He and Lillian purchased a vacation home at Warner Springs and they spent much time there where Bill served on the Board of Directions for the resort and Lillian cooked and entertained the numerous people who flocked to this Hecht retreat. They also enjoyed traveling world-wide and experienced many exciting adventures in these travels.
Upon his retirement in 1990, Bill and Lillian decided to return to Powell. They enjoyed renewing old friendships and making new friends here. The couple purchased a winter home in Green Valley, Arizona and spent several winters there while continuing to travel. Lillian passed away on August 24, 1996. Bill continued to live in his home until 2008 when he moved to the Heartland. He enjoyed playing cards, his Yoga classes, the van rides and the entertainment at the Heartland and he always praised the staff highly.

Bill is survived by his only child, daughter Diane Gordinier and two grandsons, Michael and Steven, all of Santa Rosa, California. He is also survived by one niece, Jean Hecht Godden of Seattle, Washington and three nephews, Harry Richard Hecht of Maui, Hawaii, Thomas Hecht of Springfield, Illinois and Harry George Hecht of Brookings, South Dakota. His niece by marriage, Jackie Hecht, wife of Robert Hecht attended to his needs in Powell.
Preceding him in death were his parents, his brothers Harry Haskell, Jr., Maurice, George and Henry and two sisters, Mae and Claire and one nephew, Robert Hecht and two nieces, Peggy Percival Johnson and Betty Hecht Boyce. Bill was very fond of his nieces and nephews and kept in close contact with them.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 28th at 2:00 P.M. at Thompson Funeral Home with visitation and viewing at 1:00 P.M. Burial will follow the services at Crown Hill Cemetery. Thompson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.