Eternal Life, the greatest gift for all mankind, was bestowed upon William (Bill) Gasau early on Christmas morning after a three-year battle with cancer. 

Bill was born on June 26, 1946, to William and Laura Gasau (nee Strobel) in Kansas City, MO.   He was baptized at Redeemer Lutheran Church and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Kansas City, Missouri.  Bill’s formal education led him to become an Odessa High Bulldog (’64), a Bluejay at St. Paul College (’66), a Bulldog yet again at Concordia Seward (’68), and a Missouri Tiger (’74). 

In the spring of 1968, Bill received a divine call to teach at Saint Paul Lutheran High School in Concordia, Missouri.  In the weeks leading up to the school year, his life changed forever when he met the love of his life, Linda Greder.  Their relationship grew and they married on August 1, 1970.  This union lasted over 54 years and produced four children and later 12 grandchildren.  Bill and Linda built this family rooted in Christ as members at Holy Cross Lutheran Church where he was active as a coach, member of the school board, elder, church council and Chairman of the congregation. 

Bill completed a 47-year ministry at SPLHS as he built the music program at the high school.  It was here as the leader of the Singing Saints that he was able to bring listeners one step closer to heaven by convincing 60+ teenagers a year that it was cool to sing.  He provided once in a lifetime opportunities and lifelong memories through rehearsal, early Sunday morning church services, choir tours, and countless games of spielen karten.  It was through these tours that he built relationships with students and ministered to them through song.  He was a dedicated faculty member that found it hard to pass up a good faculty party and card game. 

Throughout their marriage, Bill and Linda shared in the parenting of their children through their example of love for each other and for their kids.  They showed faith in action and opened unknown worlds of travel, experiences, laughter with family and friends, and an unwavering commitment to each other and their lord.  That same commitment was shown towards their grandchildren, where time and money never seemed to inhibit the special relationship they developed with each of them.  In retirement, Bill and Linda achieved a lifelong dream by moving to a hobby farm where he loved nothing more than chasing cattle, spending time entertaining guests in his wood shop, or home and relaxing in his camping chairs.  He loved to tinker, complete projects with his grandchildren, and he even built his own casket, lest someone overcharge him for one at retail. 

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Laura; brother, Rudy; in-laws, Vernon and Marie Greder; as well as brother-in-law, Stan Moeller and son-in-law, Mark Anderson. 

He is survived by his wife of the home, Linda; children, Kristen Anderson and grandchildren, Christian, Malinda and Morgan; Melissa (Chuy) Quezada and grandchildren, Nathanael, Isaac and Kaleb; Nick (Ashley) Gasau and grandchildren, Eli, Adeline, and Silas; and AnnaLisa (Nick) LaBoube and grandchildren, Devin, Grady, and Otto; brother, Jerry and sister-in-law, Marie and their sons, Jake (Kelly) and Aaron, as well as many other brothers-and sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews. 

Visitation was at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Concordia, Missouri, on Monday, December 30, 2024 with funeral service on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Emma.  Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery.    

In lieu of flowers the family asks that a donation be made to Saint Paul Lutheran High School, or Heit’s Point Lutheran Ministries, as well as a pledge that you go forth and proudly proclaim as every one of his choirs did, “I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVES!”