Samuel W. Hessert Sr.

Samuel William Hessert Sr., 76, of Williamsport, died peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017.

Sam was born in Williamsport on Sept. 13, 1941, the youngest of three sons born to Henry William and Esther Nichols Hessert. He attended South Williamsport Area High School and graduated from the Williamsport Technical Institute in 1960.

After graduation, Sam worked for Miles Shoes in Williamsport and Pottstown and Irvin’s Shoes in Williamsport. He then embarked on a lengthy career as an electrician, first for a brief stint with Bob Ambrovich, then for nearly three decades with Bethlehem Steel, and finally under his own shingle as the owner of Residential Electric. He also worked part-time for Lyco Lighting, TransPly and Hope Enterprises before his retirement.

Sam was a past member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and was a former volunteer for the Williamsport Emergency Management Agency, Citizens’ Fire Department in South Williamsport and the Old Lycoming Township Volunteer Fire Department. As a teenager, he was one of the first individuals to complete Citizens’ junior firefighter training; in 2009, Old Lycoming presented him with the fire department’s Outstanding Fire Police Service Award.

Sam was a lifelong member of Messiah Lutheran Church in South Williamsport, where he proudly shared his faith in God and love of music with so many. It was also there on March 16, 1963, that he married his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Carol (Moore) Hessert.

In addition to his wife, Sam is survived by his four children: son, S. William Hessert Jr. (married to Jennifer), of Port Matilda; daughter, Elise Braden (married to Rick), of South Orange, N.J.; daughter, Sharon Davidson (married to Randy), of Glenmoore; and daughter, Pam Eveleth (married to Mike), of Williamsport. He is also survived by his six grandchildren: Zachary (married to Karen), Max (engaged to Alanna), Aaron, and Grant Braden, and Hunter and Blaise Davidson; his great-grandchild, Bradley Davidson; nephews, Mark and Donald “Buddy” Hessert; nephews Michael and Timothy Sobers; and niece, Mary Sobers Cordner.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Donald and Philip; his nephew, Matthew Hessert; and his niece, Deborah Hessert Bower.

Sam was a proud, loving man – someone who wouldn’t think twice about giving a total stranger the shirt off his back, even if it was the only shirt he owned. He will be missed greatly by the friends and family who loved him deeply and to whom he taught many life lessons, up to and including the moment he took his last breath.

Funeral services for Sam will be held at Messiah Lutheran Church, 324 Howard St., South Williamsport, at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6; a public visitation will take place at the church preceding the funeral from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday. Interment will follow the services at Wildwood Cemetery in Williamsport.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sam’s memory can be made to Messiah Lutheran Church or to Susquehanna Home Health Care and Hospice Williamsport, c/o Susquehanna Health Foundation, 1001 Grampian Blvd., Williamsport, PA 17701.