William “Bill” Albert Traughber

William Albert “Bill” Traughber, 86, of Hendersonville, NC, passed away in his sleep on October 16, 2021.

Bill was born in September of 1935 and grew up in Jackson, TN. He attended Jackson public schools and went on to earn his B.A. in psychology from Vanderbilt University and master’s in social work from the University of Tennessee.

Bill served in active duty as a Russian language specialist in the U.S. Air Force from 1956 to 1960 on the island Hokkaido in Japan. He had a long career in the VA hospital system and retired as the chief of social work from the VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC.

Bill loved Boy Scouts and spent many years as a Scout Master in Asheville’s Troop 8. He also enjoyed woodworking, hiking, and backpacking in the Great Smoky Mountains, and automotive repair. He was a handyman in the truest sense.

Bill never met a stranger. He was beloved for his kindness, self-effacing sense of humor, and love for his family. His life was guided by a strong work ethic and moral character.

Bill is survived by his wife, Ingrid; children, Ashley Traughber Kaufman and Derek Traughber; grandchildren, Diyaa Kaufman and Jelal Kaufman; and sister, Mildred T. Hacker.

Bill will be deeply missed. His life will be celebrated by friends and family at a later date.

Donations can be made in his name to the Daniel Boone Council of the Boy Scouts of America, 333 West Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801 or by visiting (https://donations.scouting.org) or to Friends of the Smokies (https://friendsofthesmokies.org).