Bill Aschenbach

April 3, 1942-Jan. 3, 2018

Bill Aschenbach, 75, died quietly Jan. 3, 2018, in the loving arms of Islands Hospice of Maui, Hawaii, after battling a long illness. Born in Flemington, New Jersey, on April 3, 1942, Bill attended Hunterdon Central High School. He lived many years in New Jersey and served in the Vietnam War as a sergeant in the U.S. Army, Company C, 5th Special Forces Group, from January 1968-February 1969 as both a medic and weapons specialist. Married to Linda Aschenbach since 1996, Bill and Lin enjoyed living in New Jersey before moving to Homer, Alaska in 2005, while finally residing in Maui, Hawaii, in 2016.

Bill was a dedicated farmer and skilled mechanic, following race car circuits across the country to rebuild rear engines. He was loved by family and friends, including Army Special Forces comrades who trained together and fought side by side in Vietnam. Bill touched lives in many ways. A true American hero, he was a gentle warrior, and is at last free from pain and suffering.

Courageously serving in Vietnam, Bill was bestowed the following awards: Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with four bronze service stars, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, Combat Medics Badge, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960), Expert Badge with Rifle Bar, Parachutist Badge, Basic Army Commendation Medal for Valor, and Air Medal.

Bill is survived by his wife, Lin Aschenbach; three daughters, Donna Waliky and her partner Lill Rimac,of Rockaway, New Jersey, and Laurie Pyle of Kihei, Maui, as well as extended family and friends all over the country.

Respectfully, Bill’s wishes are to have his ashes spread in a place he loved, the Anchor River in Anchor Point, Alaska, and his final resting place in Maui, Hawaii, to be close to his loved ones. The family requests in lieu of flowers kindly send donations to Islands Hospice in Maui at http://www.islandshospice.com/Pages/IslandsHospice/Donations.