William Savage
William Allen “Bill” Savage, born on February 25, 1932, in Johnstown, NY, passed away peacefully at the age of 93 on December 4, 2025, at the Carolina Village Medical Center in Hendersonville, NC.
Bill was a dedicated educator, having devoted a total of 33 years to teaching mathematics in the classroom. His passion for education and commitment to student success led him to serve as a high school principal for 10 of those years. He concluded his teaching career at Manatee Community College in Bradenton, FL in 1994. Beyond his work in education, Bill spent a decade beginning in June 1960 driving a bus for Greyhound Bus Lines during the summers and school vacations.
A man of faith, Bill was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. His early education was rooted in the values and teachings of St. Patrick’s Catholic School from kindergarten through eighth grade. He graduated from Johnston High School in 1949 and immediately embarked on a journey of service by joining the United States Air Force. During his tenure, he completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, before receiving specialized training in radio repair and operation at Scott Field, IL. He honorably served in Japan for two years, maintaining a radio relay station near Nagoya during the Korean War, until his discharge in 1953.
Following his military service, Bill pursued higher education at Albany State Teacher’s College, now known as SUNY (State University of New York at Albany), where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree and New York Teacher Certification. In 1966, he furthered his education by obtaining a Master’s Degree in Science from Union College in Schenectady, NY.
Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Donald Delbert and Frances Ida Savage; his son, Thomas Savage; his brother, Donald (Doc) Savage and his wife Blanche; and his sister, Jean Kentris and her husband Donald Kentris.
He leaves behind a legacy of love and family, survived by his devoted wife of 39 years, Joanne P. Savage; his sons, Donald Savage and wife Judy, William Savage and wife Della, and John Savage and wife Natalie; his daughters, Mary Savage and Monica Savage; his step-son, Kevin Snow and wife Mary Michele; along with 31 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held in honor of Bill’s life and contributions. The family and friends are invited to pay their respects during a visitation from 4:00-5:30 PM on Monday, December 8, 2025, at Shuler Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass is scheduled for 2:00 PM on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Hendersonville, NC, with a reception to follow. A graveside service will take place at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at the Western Carolina State Veteran’s Cemetery in Black Mountain, with interment to follow.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made to the St. Gerard Center for Autism, 620 Oakland Street, Hendersonville, NC 28791, or by clicking HERE, or to the Hendersonville Rescue Mission, 639 Maple Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792, or by clicking HERE.
Bill Savage will be dearly missed by all who knew him, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of those he touched throughout his lifetime.