William J. Weinhardt

William J. Weinhardt of West Lafayette, IN, devoted husband, father, and grandfather, passed away on September 24, 2024, after a brief illness.

Bill was born at Home Hospital in Lafayette on October 6, 1938, grew up on Wells Street and, last year, recently celebrated his 85th birthday and 60th wedding anniversary to his dear wife, Sandra, surrounded by friends and family. Bill graduated from Lafayette Jeff High School (Class of 56) and from Purdue on a US Navy ROTC scholarship, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE). He was a proud Veteran, having served in the Navy Submarine Force (“The Silent Service”) in the Pacific aboard the Diodon (SS 349) and teaching at the Naval Submarine School.

After living in San Diego, CA, Groton, CT, and Silver Spring, MD, he and Sandra relocated to Wells County, IN, where they raised their son on a farm and enjoyed country life, raising bees, cultivating a huge garden, hosting international students from Ball State University, and being closer to family. He could fix almost anything and was an asset to the rural community there, and became a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Indiana. While there, he worked at Kerr Glass, Indiana Glass, Caylor Nickel Hospital, and Peytons, in Bluffton, keeping everything humming along. After retirement, he and Sandra relocated to West Lafayette, to be back in his hometown area, near his alma mater, and near friends and family. Also in retirement, he served in the Indiana Guard Reserve, extending his service contributions and making many new friends.

Bill was a ham radio operator (W9PPG) and electronics enthusiast; from fascinating elementary school children with oscilloscope demonstrations, to teaching ham radio licensing classes for all ages, to being the first person on the block to have a personal computer, he helped other people get involved in technology in the 70s and 80s, changing the course of many lives. He recently received his 70^th anniversary certificate of membership from the American Radio Relay League. The radio signals he sent over the years are still out there traveling through space.

A Unitarian Universalist, Bill was a deeply-caring, humble, and selfless person who always took care of his family, including his aging father, and several of his many aunts from the Tippecanoe County Bauer family. He showed others by example how to be a kind, compassionate, patient, and helpful person throughout his life. He was a fighter, who won a 30-year battle with prostate cancer, by following the science, undergoing several experimental treatments, staying optimistic, and having a little luck. Bill was a genuine and kind person, and he supported many good causes. He was an ally of the LGBT+ community, and donated to several charities. Finally, Bill was a proud Purdue basketball fan; he attended the final home game of the 2023-2024 season for senior night with his son, and intently followed the Boilers in every NCAA tournament. He is now up there waiting for this year’s season to start.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, John V. Weinhardt, former Chief of the Lafayette Police Department, and his mother, Eleanor Weinhardt (née Bauer), a former nurse, also of Lafayette. He is survived by his loving wife Sandra (N9PXK), his proud son Lance, of Milwaukee, WI, (KA9EFU), and his grandchildren, Caleb and Madelaina, to whom he was known as Beebo, and who he adored more than anything.

Visitation will be from 10:00 am until the time of the service at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. A livestream of the service will be on Bill’s obituary page at www.soller-baker.com.  The family asks that gifts in Bill’s name be given to the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Cancer Society.  You may leave condolences and memories at www.soller-baker.com.