MCHENRY — William Eugene Hesen, 82, a retired Regional Manager for The Coca-Cola Company, died Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, from complications of lung cancer at his home in McHenry surrounded by his family.
Mr. Hesen graduated from Oakland High School and attended Potomac State College.
He was a member of St. Peter's the Apostle Church in Oakland. As a past president and 38 year member of the Rotary Club, he was instrumental in starting the tradition of handing out treats to children as part of the annual Christmas parade in Oakland as well as providing the Santa sleigh. In 1967, Bill was one of the founding committee members of the Autumn Glory Festival that has continued in Oakland for the last 44 years.
As the last surviving member of the Hesen family residing in Garrett County, he was preceded in death by his father, Alexander G. Hesen (former Mayor of Oakland); mother, Florence Carney Hesen; and brothers, James A. and Robert J. Hesen.
Employed by The Republican Newspaper for a short time after college, Mr. Hesen was hired by The Coca-Cola Company first as a bookkeeper and later becoming the manager of the Oakland Bottling plant. He worked for the company 38 years attaining the position of Regional Manager for the Oakland, Cumberland, Winchester, Romney and Fairmont plants. During his tenure as plant manager, it was important to him that the beverage of choice in Garrett county was Coca-Cola. It was under his guidance that both Northern and Southern High schools received sports scoreboards for indoor and outdoor events.
After retiring from Coca-Cola, he oversaw the bottling of water for the Appalachian Spring Water Company in Mountain Lake Park. Over the past few years Mr. Hesen enjoyed working part time as an insurance inspector as well as a rental inspector for Long & Foster Realtors in McHenry.
Surviving are his wife of 56 years, the former Norma Quinet; a daughter, Michelle Chappell and son-in-law Chip Chappell; a son, William E. Hesen II and daughter-in-law, Holly McIntire Hesen; and five grandchildren, Natelie and Jayson Chappell and Garrett, Carrie and Elizabeth Hesen; as well as several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Hesen donated his body to science.
A memorial mass and reception will be held in St. Peter's Catholic Church in Oakland on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2012, at 11 a.m.
Interment will be private.
Expressions of sympathy maybe directed to Hospice of Garrett County, the Garrett County Memorial Hospital or charity of choice.
