Asa Selwyn Halsey

At 89, on October 8, 2012, the Lord called home Asa S. Halsey, residing at Brightview South River, Assisted Living in Edgewater, MD. A native of Plymouth, NC, he was one of 4-siblings born of the late Samuel A., Sr. and Clara W. Halsey on April 6, 1923. After high school, Asa studied Engineering at North Carolina A&T University for 3-years, until he was drafted into the U.S. Army, cutting short his collegiate pursuit. Asa served in the U.S. Army in WWII from 1943-1946, whereupon he was Honorably discharged as a Private First Class from the 4298 Quartermaster General Service Company out of Fort Bragg, NC. Asa was in theater largely in Rhineland, Germany in Central Europe. He earned the American Theater Service Medal, Eame Service Medal with 2-Bronze Service Stars, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, Philippine Liberation Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. During that time he married Rosa Lee Wilson of Birmingham, AL, which ended prior to 1950. They had no children and he moved to Washington, D.C. to begin his career in the Federal Civil Service. Asa held jobs in the U.S. Postal Service, the U.S. Naval Gun Factory (Engineering Department) and Voice of America (VOA-Office of Engineering). The VOA later became the U.S. Information Agency (USIA). In his last three jobs, Asa emerged from an Engineering Draftsman to Supervisory Engineering Technician (GS-11), responsible for training, supervising, allocating assignments and evaluating the work of all subordinates within his Branch. Asa faithfully served the Federal Government for a total of 37.5 years, receiving a Plague & Certificate from the USIA in recognition of his service record. Asa cherished urban living near Adams Morgan in Washington, D.C. at the Saxony, a distinguished apartment complex, turned Cooperative, where he served as its first President of the Tenants Association. While there, he guided major improvements to the building and created governing documents, which significantly added to the quality of life and value of residences. An avid photographer, he traveled, enjoyed sightseeing, took in jazz shows at the Howard Theater and enjoyed time with his family. When his health declined, in 2005 he moved to Fort Washington, MD to live with his younger brother, Samuel. After Samuel passed, Asa moved to Edgewater, MD, desiring to be close to his family until his untimely passing. He really enjoyed living at Brightview and began making many new friends. Asa was predeceased by his beloved and close Brother Samuel A. Halsey, Jr. in February, earlier this year. He is survived by his beloved siblings: Rosa G. McNair, Jesse W. Halsey (Geneva); nephews & nieces: Samuel A. Halsey, III (Barbara), Paul A. Halsey (Merchelle), Gail A. H. McWilliams (Brian), Jennifer L. Halsey, Warren V. Halsey (Lynelle), Janice M. Halsey, Leslie P. Halsey and a host of other relatives and friends. Friends may visit with the family on October 18, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral Services at 11:00 a.m. at the Marshall-March Funeral Home of Maryland, Inc., 4308 Suitland Road, Suitland, MD, 20746. Interment will immediately follow at 2:00 p.m. at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, MD, 20623

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Asa Selwyn Halsey

April 6, 1923 - October 8, 2012