William “Bill” Hand

William M. "Bill" Hand of Brookfield, WI, passed away unexpectedly at home in the early hours of August 23, 2025. He leaves behind his wife, Kimberly, and beloved children-daughter Helen (Jodi) Fisher and son William R. (Megan) Hand, M.D.-and sister Sue (Drew) Barry. Grandchildren include Abigail and Samantha Fisher; Emi Reese, Logan, and Rediger Hand. Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Margaret (Margy) Hand, and his grandson, William X. Hand, who passed earlier this summer. Bill has two nephews, Gage (Anne Marie) Barry and Seth (Jessica) Barry.

Born November 3, 1950, in Chicago, IL, to Dr. William J. Hand and Virginia F. Hand, he grew into an exceptional man, personally and professionally. Highlights of his youth which he enjoyed recounting include:

His love of learning
His close-knit family: parents, sister, grandparents, and aunts
Taking apart and putting back together machines, such as lawn mower engines and phones
Boating with his parents and sister
Working at Schroeder's Hardware Store
Summer Employment at US Steel Southworks

Excelling in school, he received an undergraduate degree in biology from the University of Chicago and a graduate degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Illinois.

His career started at Chicago's Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke Medical Center where he met his future wife, Margaret Rediger. Soon, Bill was invited to serve as the Manager of CT Engineering at General Electric Medical Systems. This career advance meant a move to Brookfield, Wisconsin, where the couple started their family.

In November of 1986 he joined the Volunteer Elm Grove Fire Department, rising through the ranks: Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain, Public Information Officer, and Deputy Chief. He enjoyed working with the department's Explorer Group and on the Survive Alive Program. He was incredibly proud to be with the EGFD, having served with them almost 40 years. Bill was also a certified Arson Inspector.

His professional success continued, becoming VP of Engineering at a magnetic resonance accessories company, and then VP of Engineering at a medical device manufacturing firm. Next, he did something absolutely out of the ordinary – he quit the corporate world and purchased the Village Bookstore in Menomonee Falls. To this day, people still comment on the significant contribution his store made to the community. In this endeavor, as all others, he enriched every life he touched.

Bill thrived as an IT consultant during the last 18 years through his company, PC Assistants. Every client knew they were getting the very best computer expertise; their many notes and cards of thanks sent over the years are now small treasures.

To all those grieving Bill's passing, (and that includes his wife's father, her siblings, their spouses, and children) we can take comfort in knowing that he graced our lives, giving us-everyday and always-the very best his big heart and gifted brain had to offer. We knew him to be wise, compassionate, patient, steadfast, witty, and, yes, stubborn. He lived with integrity, an unwavering sense of right and wrong, and a remarkable ability to remain true to self in the most difficult situations. He was frequently sought out for advice and help on many and varied situations. To be needed fed his soul.

One last thing… We can't forget how he loved to say, "I built my first computer in 1975."

To honor Bill's lifelong passion for technology, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Elmbrook Schools Technology Department.

Contributions will provide financial assistance to future generations in several ways, such as: (1) supporting technology programming for all students across the Elmbrook Schools; and (2) funding the Elmbrook Education Foundation's Elmbrook Connects scholarship which benefits students pursuing careers in Information Technology.

Visitation will be Sunday, September 7, 2025, from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Krause Funeral Home, 12401 West National Avenue, New Berlin, Wisconsin. A service paying tribute to his life will begin at 4:00 PM with dinner to follow.

Online donations can be made here: Elmbrook Technology Department Donations

Paper checks can be made out to The School District of Elmbrook and mailed to:

The School District of Elmbrook

C/O: Bill Hand Memorial

3555 North Calhoun Road

Brookfield, WI 53005