Samuel "Sam" Mortimer Hasell

An Officer and A Gentleman Samuel Mortimer Hasell (affectionately known as Sam) departed this life peacefully on July 26, 2007 in his home following a battle with brain cancer. Sam hailed from Charleston, SC and he embodied his southern, chivalrous roots. He is preceded in death by his parents, Samuel and Annie Hasell, two sisters, Dickie Legare and Ann Hasell, his brothers, Simmons Hasell, and his loving wife Lucy Hasell. He is survived in death by his sister, Jane L. Martin of East Stroudsburg, PA, and two daughters and sons-in-law, Janet and Charles Collins of Midway, NC and Lucy and Glenn Bultmann of Bakersfield, CA. Sam’s southern heritage instilled in him the values of Christianity, family, education, hard work, perseverance and love of one’s country. He was active in ROTC through out his days at Clemson University and served with the Air Force during WWII. Sam joined the Air Forces reserves following his tour of active duty, and was a Lieutenant Colonel at the time of his retirement from military service. Sam worked as a mechanical engineer through out his career, and his vocational placements included Grinell Industries, Tidewater Construction and Engineering and, lastly, a 27 year employment tenure with Burlington Industries in Greensboro, NC. Early in his career while on a business trip to Portland, OR, he meet the future love of his life, Lucy, who was then working as a flight attendant with Delta Airlines. After a one year courtship, the blissful couple wed, conceived two, adoring daughters, Lucy Bultmann and Janet Collins, and enjoyed 58 years of marital companionship. After Sam retired from Burlington Industries, he and his wife built a home in the foothills of Southwest Virginia. They enjoyed 12 years of “almost heaven” in the rural landscape before returning to North Carolina to be closer to their youngest daughter Janet. Sam and Lucy purchased a home in Wallburg, NC and Sam lived there until he moved in with his daughter and son-in-law. He was a member of Oak Forest United Methodist in Winston-Salem, NC at the time of his death. Sam’s later years were characterized by civic and community projects, charitable acts and expressions of friendship in contrast to his earlier legacy of professional achievements. Through out his life, Sam was many things to many people. He was academically and vocationally blessed, and he shared his blessings graciously. His network of friendships and associations was wide and varied and he touched many lives. For those of us who knew him, we will always be sadden by his departure; but, he will remain forever grateful for having experienced his love of life, his engaging conversations and humorous nature. Sam was an avid perfectionist; hence, it certainly seems fitting to herald his life with the epitaph of “Well Done My Faithful Servant”. A memorial service celebrating Sam’s life is scheduled for Monday, July 30, 2007 at 2:00 pm at Oak Forest United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem, NC. The service will be conducted by Revs. Jacqueline Tookey and Don Stansell officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that memorials be directed to Hospice of Davidson County, PO Box 1941, Lexington, NC 27293.