William “Bill” Claus, age 90, “slipped the surly bonds of earth to touch the face of God” on January 27, 2025.
He was born and lived in southeast Kansas, where he attended first grade in a one-room schoolhouse. He would walk to school down a dusty road followed by his dog “Shepard”. Shepard and the other students’ dogs would lie on the porch and wait on their masters. On an extra cold day, the teacher would let the dogs inside to stay warm around the potbellied stove.
Bill retired from NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida. He served as Past Master (1982) of Merritt Island Lodge F&AM #353 Florida. He was a member of Solar Lodge #914, Endeavor Day Lodge #934, Scottish Rite Valley of Huntsville, and Cahaba Shrine of Huntsville. He was also Past Commander of American Legion Post # 332 John F. Kennedy Space Center Merritt Island, Florida.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Mae Claus, his brothers Floyd and Leroy, and his nephews, Dr. Steven Claus and Jason Douglass.
Bill is survived by his wife, Barbara; son, Richard; grandchildren, Katie, Carolee, Samanthah, Alan, Timothy and Kaylee; great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Eddie, Colton, Isaiah, Ryder, Tucker, Braylon and Stetson; nieces, Anita Farwell, Bonita Whitaker, and Patty Beckwith; and nephews, John and Blaine Douglass, and Tom Thurmon
Visitation will be from 12 to 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, with the memorial service immediately following in the chapel. After the service, the family will gather at Maple Hill Cemetery for interment.
In memory of Bill, donations would be appreciated to the Transportation Fund (501c) Cahaba Shrine, P. O. Box 3388, Huntsville, AL 35810.
