William Bela Haffner

William Bèla Haffner 1937 - 2022 William Bèla Haffner, born Bèla Kàroly Haffner to Kàroly (Charles) Haffner and Katalin Haffner on February 8, 1937, in Budapest, Hungary, died at his home on Monday, October 17, 2022, in Sandy Springs, Georgia. Preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Mary D. Zoghby; he is survived by his son Erik B. Haffner, daughter Eva M. Lee, and five grandchildren – Katie, Sandy, Joe, Conor and Brian. William was an activist for those in need from the beginning, and after actively fighting against the Russian occupation of Hungary as a teenager, William and his mother fled and entered America through Ellis Island. Because William believed strongly in an individual’s duty to support their nation’s society, he worked tirelessly to learn English in its entirety, to become a U.S. citizen, and to obtain a chemical engineering degree from the Indiana Institute of Technology. As an engineer William spent most of his career working hard for the Kimberly Clark Corporation where he established numerous patents for films and laminates that are used in many of their products. As William’s love for his nation and community continued to grow, he became active in the Democratic Party and used his free time to support numerous charity organizations in the area. He and his wife Mary believed strongly in supporting those in need and together they physically helped by delivering food from local restaurants to the local food bank, and by helping to welcome and establish refugees from war torn countries. They also generously gave financially to charitable organizations locally, as well as around the world. When William could no longer physically help those less fortunate, he continued to vote in every state and national election and to make monthly donations to charities in his community and around the world. Most will remember William as a quiet man with a dry sense of humor who spoke volumes through his actions. He was always physically and financially supportive of his family, his friends, and his community, and he will be missed. The family wishes to send a special thank you to Louise Buckley, Miriam Zoghby, Pat and Bob Fine, Milton and Evelyn Crane, Dr. Ann Smith, and Margaret Haffner for their consistent and generous love and support of William (Bill). Although there will not be a memorial service, William’s family hopes that all who knew him will help his family celebrate his life by continuing to support those less fortunate and by remembering to make your voice heard by voting in your national and local elections. Donations in his honor may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation (parkinsons.org), the local or national Democratic Party, or your local food bank.

William Bela Haffner

February 8, 1937 - October 17, 2022