William Clarence "Bill" Mauser

William Clarence Mauser, 68, of Bedford, Virginia, died on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Known to those who loved him as Bill or Bus, he was a beloved son, father, partner, grandfather (Pop Pop), brother, and dear friend to many.

Bill was born on July 22, 1957, in Farmingdale, New Jersey, to Albert William Mauser and Gayle Marie Shafto Mauser. Along with his parents, he is survived by the love of his life, Wendy Witt; three children and their partners, Moises Mauser (Tammy Mauser), David Mauser (Ashley Curry), and Gayle Mauser (Nick Leonardi); four grandchildren, Moises Mauser, Zoey Mauser, Ruth Leonardi, and Eugene Leonardi; Wendy’s sons, Aaron Plattus and Finn Plattus (Kennedy Plattus); and his brothers, Thomas Mauser (Joan Mauser), John Mauser (Rosemarie Mauser), and Greg Mauser. His passing leaves a vast void in their lives and in the lives of countless other people Bill impacted in his time on this earth.

Bill is preceded in death by Wendy’s daughter, Quincy Plattus, whom he loved dearly.

Bill was a talented and devoted maker. Inspired by working on a nearby farm as a young man in New Jersey, Bill moved to Bedford County in 1990, where he relocated his construction company and started his own horsedrawn farm. In his life, he was also a talented woodworker, carpenter, and blacksmith–often working for himself, as well as in roles such as master craftsman for Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest. In all iterations, he was an incredible and humble talent.

Bill also had a love for nature and motorcycle touring; he combined these loves in several notorious adventures, traveling around the United States by motorcycle and staying in national parks.

Bill spent the final years of his life creating with Wendy. Together, they previously owned and operated a bistro, art gallery, and market and were always planning their next project together.

Those who knew Bill will always remember his hands in motion–sketching, carving, hammering, forging.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at the Sedalia Center on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 2:00 pm. For those attending, please bring a favorite dish to share. Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford is assisting the family.