William Hassan Charaf
William Hassan Charaf was born February 10, 1937, in Damascus, Syria. His parents were Dr. Hassan Mahmoud Charaf and Wadiya Saade Al Fata. William attended a French school in Damascus. Later he joined his oldest sister in England, finished high school there, and obtained a B.S. in Engineering from the University of London.
He met his wife Ursula (née Krombholz) in London. They were married on May 12,1962, and were blessed with two daughters, Leila and Lydia. William began his career in international export sales in Germany, but the family soon emigrated to the US and became naturalized US citizens in 1975.
Work-related moves took the family from New York to Ohio, back to New York, and then to Green Bay, WI, Athens (Greece), and Racine, WI. In 2001, William and Ursula retired on Duck Lake in Watersmeet Township, MI.
William and Ursula shared a lifelong passion for classical music, opera and the theater. They sang in choral groups such as the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus and, for the last 20 years, The Northwoods Singers. They also loved the outdoors: they rafted and hiked the Grand Canyon, enjoyed cross country skiing and being on the water.
A linguist at heart, William spoke fluent Arabic, German, French and English, and conversational Spanish. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of Middle East history that resulted in many animated and interesting conversations.
William was a devoted and beloved grandfather and great-grandfather. Yearly highlights were family summer visits, the fireworks and 4th of July parade in Land O’Lakes, and running into a lake or jumping off the pontoon shouting, “Bonzai!!”
William is survived by his wife Ursula, of 63 years; his daughters, Leila (Rob) Lane and Lydia Charaf Clark; seven grandchildren, and five (soon 6) great-grandchildren; one brother; and eight nephews and nieces.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Milestone Senior Living in Eagle River, WI where William died peacefully on May 12, 2025.
Arrangements by Gaffney-Busha Funeral Home, Eagle River. Online condolences may be expressed at gaffney-busha.com PAID OBITUARY
