Our attention was drawn to news of the death of Bill Hand on Wednesday, November 23, in Winona Lake, Ind. Over the years, he and his business, Hand Industries, provided employment for many students at Grace College and Theological Seminary. His obituary appears below.
William F. “Bill” Hand of Winona Lake, Ind., passed away at his residence surrounded by family at 10:55 a.m. on Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at the age of 89.
Bill was born in Elkhart, Ind., on September 27, 1927 to Charles E. and Minnie (Helbling) Hand. He was married on June 30, 1948 to Mary Leedy, who preceded him in death in 1969. On December 5, 1987 he was married to Elaine L. Stoner, who survives
While growing up, he attended Atwood, Claypool, and Mentone schools. He served in the U.S. Army at the end of WWII, and was stationed in Ft Lewis, Wash., serving in the Military Police. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Indiana and began a nearly 20-year career at Zimmer. In 1956, he founded Hand Industries in Warsaw, and remained on the board of directors after his retirement in 1992. During his career, he was involved in starting many new businesses. He always had an entrepreneurial spirit and enjoyed working with people.
Bill was an active member of the Free Methodist Church in Winona Lake for nearly seven decades, where he loved attending church and served on many boards. Throughout his life, he served the Lord joyfully and shared Christ with friends and employees. He had a passion for helping those less fortunate.
He will be remembered by many for his hunting and fishing adventures. In his later years, Bill and Elaine enjoyed wintering on the Alabama coast, where they formed many special friendships.
He will be lovingly missed by his wife, Elaine Hand (Winona Lake, Ind.), and his three children: daughter, Sharon Hand (St. Louis, Mo.); two sons, Ron (and spouse Susan) Hand (Orlando, Fla.); Terry (and spouse Terese) Hand (Warsaw, Ind.). Also surviving are his brother, John E. (and spouse Shirley) Hand (Warsaw, Ind.); five grandchildren: Lydia (and spouse Chris) Vaughn (Auburn, Wash.); JoAnna (and spouse Paul) Williams (Orlando, Fla.);Christine Hand (Meggett, S.C.); Cara Hand (Kanab, Utah); Elizabeth Hand (Philadelphia, Pa.) and three great grandchildren: Isabelle, Regent, and Julianna Williams.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers: Ferdinand, Leon, and Edward, and his sister, Dorothy.
His funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. November 30, 2016 at Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, 902 College Avenue, Winona Lake, Ind., and officiated by Pastor Henry Church assisted by Pastor Paul Parker. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery of Warsaw.
Visitation will be held from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m. November 29, 2016 at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana. There will also be one hour of calling prior to the service on November 30, 2016 at Winona Lake Free Methodist Church.
Memorial donations in Bill’s name may be directed to Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, 902 College Avenue, Winona Lake, Indiana 46590 and would be appreciated by the family.