Published in Pilot-Tribune, February 4, 1954.

WILLIAM SAS DEAD AT AGE 69

FORMER LEADING BLAIR MERCHANT DIES ON EVE OF 70th BIRTHDAY

Funeral rites were held Tuesday for one of Blair’s best-known former businessmen.

W. J. (Bill) Sas, who would have observed his 70th birthday today, died suddenly last Thursday afternoon at Blair Hospital, where he had been a resident patient since June, 1945. He was a longtime arthritis patient, and had suffered from other complications. While he had not been in good health, his death was entirely unexpected.

The body was removed to the Campbell Mortuary. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. The Rev. Frederick B. Mueller of Fremont officiated, and burial followed in Blair Cemetery. Pallbearers were Walter (Mike) Nielsen, Al Reeh, C. E. Krause, Ralph Mencke, Hans Petersen and Ray Peck.

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Sas, William J. Sas was born Feb. 4, 1884, at Magnolia, Ia. He came to Blair, his home since then, as a boy, and attended the Blair schools. He and Della Henderson were married June 15, 1910, at St. Joseph, Mo., and returned to Blair. For many years they resided at 707 South Walker Ave.

MRS. SAS DIED IN 1940

The Sas. Bros Store, which W. J. Sas operated for many years in the building now occupied by the Kolterman Ben Franklin Store, was originally founded by his father, Rudolph Sas, and the latter’s three brothers, William, John and Fred Sas. In 1897, the firm, a grocery and general merchandise store, moved into its new large two-story brick location which now houses the Kolterman Store.

W. J. Sas eventually became owner and operator of the store which for years was Blair’s largest store. It featured groceries and meats, a large shoe department, ladies’ and children’s ready-to-wear, and dry goods.

Mr. Sas closed down the store in 1943 after having moved it a year or two earlier to a location on Walker Ave., now occupied by the Stewart TV Service. Ill health was plaguing him at the time, and two years later he entered Blair Hospital, where he remained eight years until his death.

An avid sports fan, Mr. Sas refused to let his crippling disease interfere with his love of baseball. A radio brought him daily play-by-play reports of the big league games, and he maintained a lively interest in sports programs and also radio and TV programs.

Surviving Mr. Sas are his two daughters, Mrs. Einer Jensen (Marie) of Blue Jay, Calif., and Mrs. Wilford Petersen (Kathryn) of Blair. Mr. and Mrs. Jensen arrived here Monday night to attend the funeral.

Also surviving Mr. Sas are five granddaughters and a sister, Mrs. Harry Bassett of Silver City, N.M.