Former Greene County judge dies

Photo provided by Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association

William “Bill” Ralph Hass

Former Greene County judge William “Bill” Ralph Hass died Dec. 30. He was 83 years old.

Although he ended his legal career in Springfield, he began it in in 1964 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and later served on the Arkansas attorney general’s staff in Little Rock, according to his obituary.

He returned to his hometown of Thayer in 1968 as a private practice attorney. After two decades, he was elected as the associate circuit judge for Oregon County, according to his obituary.

After retirement in 2003, Hass and his wife, Jeanne, moved to Springfield. In the Queen City, he served as a senior judge, as well as a part-time senior judge for the state. His obituary indicates Hass fully retired in 2017 due to declining health.

“He was popular with the bar, with many sharing their favorite Judge Hass expressions on social media in response to his passing. He will be remembered with the warmth he emanated,” officials with the Springfield Metropolitan Bar Association said in a statement.

Hass was a member of the bar, as well as the U.S. Junior Chamber of Commerce, Elks, Rotary, American Legion, Lions Club and Kappa Alpha Order.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Jan. 10 at Wesley United Methodist Church, where Hass served as an associate member, and will be followed by a celebration of life at 10 a.m. on Jan. 11 at Missouri State University’s West Plains campus.