Wilbur Sasser, Jr.
March 11, 1949 — July 22, 2017
Wilbur Sasser, Jr., 68, of New Bern, passed away Saturday, July 22, 2017 surrounded by his loving family and friends at the Crystal Coast Hospice House in Newport. Mr. Sasser was a man loved and respected by so many and who inspired Havelock High School athletes on the football field and in the classroom for more than two decades.
Funeral Services will be held 2:00 pm Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at Glad Tidings Church in Morehead City with Rev. Harry Bryan and Rev. Shad Barrow officiating.
A visitation will be held 6:00 -8:00 PM Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at Munden Funeral Home in Morehead City.
Mr. Sasser was born in Goldsboro and played football for the Goldsboro Earthquakes. He played offensive line for the East Carolina Pirates from 1967 to1970. He graduated from East Carolina University in 1971 and became assistant coach for Havelock High School’s state title team in 1971 that was undefeated. He coached at Hobbton High School in Newton Grove before he returned to Havelock High School as head coach in 1979 until 2003 with an all time record of 207-76-2 as the winningest coach at HHS. Coach Sasser was assistant coach for 1998 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas and a 1988 East-West All-Star Game assistant. The current HHS coach, Caleb King who played under Sasser from 1998 to 2001, says Coach Sasser was a great motivator and inspirer. He retired in 2003, but continued to be a big supporter and attended Friday night games. He also volunteered to coach Havelock Pop Warner football teams. Mr. Sasser also coached wrestling, including several state champions. In retirement, he served as a substitute teacher at HHS and taught driver’s education.
Coach Sasser is survived by his wife, Beverly, of the home; mother, Christine Clark of Winterville; daughter, Kelly Sasser, daughter, Jessica Sasser Hopkins and fiancé Brad Guthrie, and daughter, Tara Liszewski and son-in-law Steve Liszewski, all of New Bern; 6 grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Wilbur Sasser, Sr. and his step-father Vernon Clark.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Havelock Touch Down Club at Havelock High School, 101 Webb Blvd., Havelock, NC 28532 and Crystal Coast Hospice House, 100 Big Rock Weigh, Newport, NC 28570.
Online condolences may be made at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.
Arrangements are by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory, Morehead City, NC.