Bill Hussey Leaves a Legacy with Family, Friends and Orlando Health

Bill Hussey was an incredible leader in Central Florida, identified at age 29 as the youngest savings and loan trade association executive in the nation. Throughout his life he continued to invest his time, wisdom and talents to the area’s growing community. In the early 1980’s, when he learned of the plans for a much-needed children’s hospital in Orlando, he and his wife Betty chose to come alongside the Orlando Health Foundation as one of the earliest supporters to help make Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children a reality.

Bill was born and raised in Gainesville and became a Florida Gator in 1951 shortly before joining the army in 1953. For 36 years, Bill worked for the Florida League of Financial Institutions and also served on several boards including the board for Holiday Hospital, which later merged with Orlando Health.

Bill and Betty were married for 58 years and raised two sons, Bill Jr. and Jeffrey. Bill passed away peacefully at Cornerstone Hospice at Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center on Tuesday, September 18, 2018.

Bill was a patient at Orlando Regional Medical Center for several weeks before his passing. Bill and Betty’s son, Jeffrey, said the following about his experience: 

“My family is very saddened by the passing of my father,” said Jeffrey. “However, I want to make sure on behalf of the family that Orlando Health knows how pleased and impressed we all were with the staff on the ICU 8^th and 10^th floors during the long weeks he spent there. It cannot be an easy job, and they all did a wonderful job with my dad and all of us as well.”

We remain grateful for Bill and Betty’s dedication to the mission of Orlando Health, and for their many years of friendship. The lives impacted through their philanthropic support will continue to provide a legacy for years to come.