William "Bill" C. Gassman

AIKEN, SC - William C. “Bill” Gassman, 74, passed away on February 11, 2019 in Aiken, SC. Born in Richmond Hill, Queens, NY, Bill had been a resident of Aiken since 1966. He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Katherine King Gassman, Aiken; three children, Jennifer Jane Shaw, Atlanta GA; Colin Murray (Cassie) Shaw, Greenville SC; and Barbara Kay Gassman, Aiken; brother, Ted (Delori) Kolhek, Aiken; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Robert and Ellen King, Boardman OH; sister-in-law, Linda King, Long Beach CA; aunt, Maxine Brown, Aiken; niece, Kathleen (Craig) Josey; and nephews, Rob King and Kevin King.  Bill was the son of Capt. William C. Gassman (killed in action during WWII), and Marjorie Brown Gassman Kolhek and stepfather Theodore A. Kolhek.  Raised in Lindenhurst, Long Island, NY, he was graduated from Lindenhurst High School; later receiving his bachelor’s degree from Adelphi University and master’s degree from the University of South Carolina.   Bill retired in 2003 following a 35 year career in the Aiken County Public Schools. Beginning at Jackson High School where he served as a teacher and assistant principal for 11 years, Bill enjoyed an additional 24 years as principal at Freedman High School, Schofield Middle School, Aiken High School, and South Aiken High School.  He continued his love of education in post-retirement as an educational consultant and co-author of the book, The Successful Principal.  In addition to volunteering at Area Churches Together Serving (ACTS), he served on the boards of Partners in Friendship, the Aiken County Historical Society, and Aiken Estates Neighborhood Association.  His professional memberships included the SC Association of School Administrators.   While his passion for his family was foremost, he valued the friendships he made through work and travel and could always see the positive side of any situation.  His friends and family will always remember Bill as a loving and devoted husband and father, a lover of sports and Sunday crossword puzzles, an avid historian, and a dedicated educator who mentored, inspired and influenced scores of young people. Bill was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church where funeral services will be held on Saturday, February 16, 11:30 am.  The family will receive friends at the church following the service.  Inurnment will be held privately at the church columbarium. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN, St. John’s UMC, 104 Newberry St., NW, Aiken 29802 or ACTS of Aiken, SC. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William "Bill" C. Gassman, please visit our flower store.