William F. “Bill” Hand, Winona Lake, passed away at his residence surrounded by family at 10:55 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016, at the age of 89.

Bill 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 death 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 WWII, 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.

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; and his three children, daughter: Sharon Hand, St. Louis, Mo.; two sons: Ron (Susan) Hand, Orlando, Fla.; Terry (Terese) Hand, Warsaw. Also surviving are his brother: John E. (Shirley) Hand, Warsaw; five grandchildren: Lydia (Chris) Vaughn, Auburn, Wash.; JoAnna (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 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, at Winona Lake Free Methodist Church, Winona Lake, 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, Warsaw.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, Warsaw. There will also be one hour of calling prior to the service on Nov. 30, 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.