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, 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 served in the Navy Submarine Force (“The Silent Service”) in the Pacific aboard the Diodon (SS 349), taught at the Naval Submarine School, and later became a licensed Professional Engineer (PE).

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 between semesters, and being closer to family. He could fix almost anything and was an asset to the rural community there. While in Indiana, 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 near his alma mater, back in his hometown, 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, changing the course of many lives.

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, as they became elderly. He showed others by example how to be a kind, compassionate, 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, and staying optimistic. 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; this was a special year for him in that regard, attending the final home game of the 2023-2024 season for senior night with his son, and intently following the Boilers to the National Championship game. 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 at Home Hospital, 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.

There will be a celebration of Bill’s life at a date to be determined in the future. The family asks that gifts in Bill’s name be given to the American Civil Liberties Union and the American Cancer Society.