William “Bud” Fassel was born in 1919 in Anaheim and never strayed far from his hometown, except a trip to the Philippines from 1940 through ’44 courtesy of the U.S. Army.
While attending Anaheim High, Bud was football team manager in his senior year and a member of the Varsity A Club. He was an outstanding athlete and during his junior year was captain of the Varsity Basketball Team, playing forward and guard. At season’s end, his team finished only three points away from the first basketball Sunset League Championship and Bud was chosen for the All-Sunset League Team.
After returning home from WWII, he worked in his family-owned grocery store called Fassel Bros. He married his wife, Dorothy, in 1946, and when the family business was sold in 1948, Bud joined the Anaheim Fire Department.
Six years later, Bud’s neighbor, AHS football coach Clare Van Hoorebeke, recruited him as equipment manager. Bud returned to his alma mater to fill this position, becoming one of the first full-time equipment managers at the high school level and a crucial part of the Anaheim’s legendary football program.
More than an equipment manager, Bud’s was Van’s right-hand man, his main role to counsel, guide and the support young men who were part of the Anaheim High athletic program. A fitting tribute to his life time of dedicated service was at his funeral service in 1992 when hundreds of former students and athletes attended to honor him for his help and guidance during his more than 25 years at Anaheim High.
Bud and Dorothy’s children inherited his Colonist Spirit. All three graduated from Anaheim High: Linda ’65, Debbie ’72 and Jim ’67.
Jim grew up on Anaheim High’s athletic fields, going on to quarterback for the Chicago Bears and became head coach of the New York Giants. He was named NFL Coach of the Year in 1997, taking the team to Super Bowl XXXV in January 2001. He’s currently coaching the Las Vegas Locomotives in the United Football League, where he just won the league’s inaugural UFL title.
Bud’s contribution to Anaheim High continues today. His children established the Bud Fassel Memorial Scholarship, which annually awards outstanding Colonist athletes.
Along with this important contribution, Bud’s Colonist Spirit still is a manager part of the Anaheim High with the contest for the coveted Western vs. Anaheim Victory Bell. (As of 2010, Anaheim High is in possesion of the Bell.) The story of how Bud started this Colonist Tradition is documented in the “Anaranco” article that appears below:
Anaheim High School, its alumni, students and staff, salute William “Bud” Fassel, Class of 1939, for his outstanding contributions to his family, community and alma mater.
