William F. “Bill” Hand,
November 28, 2016 at 4:51 p.m.
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He was born in Elkhart on Sept. 27, 1927, to Charles E. and Minnie Helbling Hand. He was married on June 30, 1948, to Mary Leedy, who preceded him in 1969. On Dec. 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 World War II, and was stationed in Fort 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.
He was an active member of the Free Methodist Church in Winona Lake for nearly seven decades; he loved attending church and served on many boards there. 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, and his three children: a daughter, Sharon Hand, St. Louis, Mo.; and two sons, Ron (spouse Susan) Hand Orlando, Fla., and Terry (spouse Terese) Hand, Warsaw. Also surviving are his brother, John E. (spouse Shirley) Hand, Warsaw; five grandchildren: Lydia (spouse Chris) Vaughn, Auburn, Wash.; JoAnna (spouse Paul) Williams, Orlando; Christine Hand, Meggett, S.C.; Cara Hand, Kanab, Utah; and Elizabeth Hand, Philadelphia, Pa.; and three great-grandchildren: Isabelle, Regent and Julianna Williams.
He was preceded by his parents; three brothers: Ferdinand, Leon and Edward; and his sister, Dorothy.
His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, 902 College Ave., Winona Lake, officiated by Pastor Henry Church assisted by Pastor Paul Parker. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, and an hour before the service Wednesday at the church.
*****
Memorials to Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, 902 College Ave., Winona Lake, IN 46590, and would be appreciated by the family.
Online condolences may be sent at www.redpathfruth
funeralhome.com.
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He was born in Elkhart on Sept. 27, 1927, to Charles E. and Minnie Helbling Hand. He was married on June 30, 1948, to Mary Leedy, who preceded him in 1969. On Dec. 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 World War II, and was stationed in Fort 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.
He was an active member of the Free Methodist Church in Winona Lake for nearly seven decades; he loved attending church and served on many boards there. 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, and his three children: a daughter, Sharon Hand, St. Louis, Mo.; and two sons, Ron (spouse Susan) Hand Orlando, Fla., and Terry (spouse Terese) Hand, Warsaw. Also surviving are his brother, John E. (spouse Shirley) Hand, Warsaw; five grandchildren: Lydia (spouse Chris) Vaughn, Auburn, Wash.; JoAnna (spouse Paul) Williams, Orlando; Christine Hand, Meggett, S.C.; Cara Hand, Kanab, Utah; and Elizabeth Hand, Philadelphia, Pa.; and three great-grandchildren: Isabelle, Regent and Julianna Williams.
He was preceded by his parents; three brothers: Ferdinand, Leon and Edward; and his sister, Dorothy.
His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, 902 College Ave., Winona Lake, officiated by Pastor Henry Church assisted by Pastor Paul Parker. A private graveside service will be held at a later date at Oakwood Cemetery, Warsaw.
Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, and an hour before the service Wednesday at the church.
*****
Memorials to Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, 902 College Ave., Winona Lake, IN 46590, and would be appreciated by the family.
Online condolences may be sent at www.redpathfruth
funeralhome.com.
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