Father William B. Wasson (December 21, 1923 - August 16, 2006) was an American Catholic priest. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, but moved to Mexico where he trained as a priest. In 1954, he founded Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, a charity for orphans and neglected and abandoned children, which today operates across Latin America. Wasson died in August 2006 in Arizona, due to complications arising from a hip injury.

Published works

*''Luke XV'' *''The Sermon on the Mount'' *''Gospel in the Dust''

Achievements and awards

* Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement - 1962 * Luis Elizondo Humanitarian Award - 1977 This is the Mexican National Prize and was given for his contribution to the children of Mexico. He is the only US citizen to receive this award. * Good Samaritan Award from th
National Catholic Development Conference
'' - 1979 * Franciscan International Award - 1981 * Order of the Aztec Eagle - 1990 This is Mexico's highest award, and recognizes services performed for Mexico or humanity by foreign nationals. This was the first time a priest had been honored. * National Caring Award by the Caring Institute of Washington DC - 1997 * KFC's Colonel's Way Award - 1998 * El Sol de Nuestra Communidad Award - 1998 This was presented by the Hispanic Community of Phoenix, Arizona. * '

'' - 2000 This is a $100,000 prize given to individuals who make a difference in the world of children. * Jefferson Award for Public Service - 2003 This is recognized as the “Nobel Prize” for public service in America. Fr. Wasson was recognized for his volunteer service to the Hispanic community. * Ivy Humanitarian Award by the Ivy Inter-American Foundation - 2005 This was for working to improve the lives of children and their communities in the Americas * Opus Prize Finalist - 2005 Wasson was awarded $100,000 for his "driving entrepreneurial mindset with an abiding faith to combat

poverty Poverty is the state of having few material possessions or little income. Poverty can have diverse social, economic, and political causes and effects. When evaluating poverty in ...

, illiteracy, hunger, disease and injustice".

External links and references

Washington Post Obituary

Opus Prize

Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos Homepage

Report of World of Children award
Specific {{DEFAULTSORT:Wasson, William 1923 births 2006 deaths 20th-century American Roman Catholic priests American expatriates in Mexico