The Sorrell College of Business and Troy University is mourning the passing of professor Dr. William Heisler, who directed the Master of Science in Human Resource Management.

Dr. Heisler joined the faculty in 2003 and died on March 7.

“Bill was a great professor, mentor and friend to all of us for so many years,” said Sorrell College Dean Dr. Judson Edwards.

Prior joining the TROY faculty, he was an HR executive for Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS), the sole supplier of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers and one of two builders of U.S. Navy submarines. NNS is the largest industrial employer in Virginia. He was also the former director of the Executive MBA program at Wake Forest University and his research Interests included executive compensation, incentive programs and performance management.

“Dr. Heisler touched the lives of countless students and faculty during his tenure at Troy University. He loved teaching and sharing his wealth of human resource management knowledge with his students and helping to develop current and future HR professionals,” said Dr. Shelley Davis, chair of Human Resource Management and Law.

“His contributions to this Department, College, and University are countless, and this is a great loss for us all. We are grateful for him and the positive impact he made which will continue to be felt on into the future,” she said.

He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration at University of Arkansas at Little Rock, completed a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering at Union College, and earned both the MBA and, later, the Ph.D. from Syracuse University’s Martin J. Whitman School of Management.

Currently, he served TROY as the Chancellor’s Appointee to the Troy University Personnel Advisory Committee and was a member of the Graduate Academic Council. He was also serving as journal editor of the Journal of Human Resources Education.

“Dr. Heisler was an outstanding educator and mentor whose dedication and professional background inspired many,” said Dr.  John Haymore, an assistant professor in the department. “His passing is a significant loss for the university, MSHRM program, and students. He will be deeply missed.”

His full obituary is available from Sauls Funeral Home.