THANOS magazine 3/2026 (115)

Dear FIAT-IFTA Members,

I am nearing the end of my term as President, and it has been a wonderful experience. Getting to know so many of my colleagues from around the world has been a true highlight of my journey through the chairs of FIAT-IFTA. Over the past year, I had the opportunity to travel to several of the largest international expos that are not held annually, including Tanexpo, BEFA, and NFE. FIAT-IFTA also had its first booth at the Asia Funeral Expo in Hong Kong, which was an important step in expanding our visibility and strengthening our connections in that region.

The greatest highlight of all this travel was meeting FIAT-IFTA members in person and having the chance to talk, listen, and get to know one another better. These conversations reminded me how valuable our international network is and how much we can learn from each other. It seemed that when it rains, it pours, because most of this travel took place within a six-week period. I had hoped to attend the FSAC Expo again, as I did last year, but I needed some rest after becoming ill during my first three weeks of nonstop travel. Thankfully, I recovered and was ready to continue for two more important events.

I was especially glad to have scheduled NFE in England this year. Being there allowed me to run the FIAT-IFTA expo booth so that our Executive Secretary could attend to a close friend who passed away during the event. Moments like that remind me that our association is not only about professional service, education, and representation; it is also about supporting one another as people.

As I look back over the last eight years on the Executive Board, I have seen both ups and downs. However, I believe we have improved as an organization and are now in an excellent position to move forward. Although I still have two more years to serve as Past President, I feel FIAT-IFTA is better prepared to serve our membership than when I first joined the board. That progress is the result of many people working together with commitment, patience, and a shared belief in the importance of our mission.

Throughout my career in funeral service, I have always tried to continue gaining knowledge. Even though my home state of Ohio has some of the most stringent continuing education requirements, I was never satisfied with simply meeting the minimum standards. For about forty years, I have been involved in association work. It began with committee service, then continued through district association work, state association work, and our national association. After that, I still was not finished. I also served as chair of two nonprofit organizations in funeral service, the Heritage Club Foundation and the Funeral Service Foundation. As the oldest member of the FIAT-IFTA Board, it has been a privilege to lend my experience and perspective to help move the organization forward.

My presidency will end at the upcoming General Assembly in Charlotte, North Carolina, where Johan Dexters will take the helm of the organization. He is more than capable of taking on the president’s role, and I have great confidence in his leadership. In fact, our entire board is well prepared to guide FIAT-IFTA into the future. Everyone works as part of a team and does not bring a private agenda to the table. We all work together for the better future of FIAT-IFTA. I am grateful for the trust, friendship, and support I have received, and I look forward to seeing the association continue to grow, serve, and lead in the years ahead.

William C. Wappner
FIAT-IFTA President