Obituary for William "Bill" Hand
William “Bill” Hand, 76, of Derby, KS passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2023 surrounded by his loving family. His Rosary will be held at 10 AM and Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM, Saturday, March 25, 2023, at St. Mary Catholic Church, 2300 E. Meadowlark in Derby, KS 67037. Interment to follow at El Paso Cemetery (700 E. Kay Derby, KS) with a luncheon following.
Bill was born in Yakima, Washington on April 5, 1946 to the late William and Lucille Hand. After moving to Derby, KS in 1951, Bill was raised with his three siblings in Derby, KS where he graduated from Derby High School in 1964. During this time, he developed a passion for sports and began fostering close relationships with lifelong friends and extended family. After attending Wichita State University, Bill met the love of his life, Patricia “Pat” Hand, and was married on October 4, 1969. During their 53 years of marriage, Bill consistently reminded Pat “I love our life!” Their love and devotion to one another was the foundation for their family and many friends. Bill was a man of faith and devoted to St Mary Parish in Derby.
Bill had a 35 year career working for Southwestern Bell, AT&T and Lucent Technologies. He served in the National Guard where he was a designated sharpshooter before receiving an honorable discharge.
His passion for sports was seen throughout his life through his successes in basketball, baseball, softball and bowling. Bill is perhaps most known for his successes as a bowler where he became a Great Plains USBC Hall of Fame inductee. Perhaps his greatest accomplishments with sports came as a coach and mentor for his three sons, grandchildren and many young lives in the Derby and Wichita community.
Bill enjoyed fishing, music, movies and was a lifelong St Louis Cardinal baseball fan, KU/KSU/WSU basketball fan, and more recent years a fan of the teams of his grandchildren either by helping to coach or attending their game, often traveling out of town to do so. He enjoyed nothing more than spending as many moments as possible with his grandchildren to share in their lives while taking every opportunity to play marbles or games, listen to music and buy sweet treats for them!
Bill’s passion for life and ability “to stay in the moment” while keeping life simple lifted each day! His unwavering commitment to family and friends, unconditional love, compassion, competitiveness, humor, story telling, servant leadership, integrity and humility were one of a kind. His ability to improve the lives of family and friends by accentuating their unique talents and positive attributes will be missed. He will never be forgotten along with his infectious smile!
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bervin Hand.
William is survived by his wife, Pat Hand; sons, Tom (Laura), Mike (Katie), and Joe (Stacy) Hand; grandchildren, Griffin, Lucy, Grier, Reid, Gannon, Chase; siblings, Jenny (Johnny) Dirck, Fred (Janet) Hand; sister-in-law, Lonnie Hand; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church Building Fund.
Bill was born in Yakima, Washington on April 5, 1946 to the late William and Lucille Hand. After moving to Derby, KS in 1951, Bill was raised with his three siblings in Derby, KS where he graduated from Derby High School in 1964. During this time, he developed a passion for sports and began fostering close relationships with lifelong friends and extended family. After attending Wichita State University, Bill met the love of his life, Patricia “Pat” Hand, and was married on October 4, 1969. During their 53 years of marriage, Bill consistently reminded Pat “I love our life!” Their love and devotion to one another was the foundation for their family and many friends. Bill was a man of faith and devoted to St Mary Parish in Derby.
Bill had a 35 year career working for Southwestern Bell, AT&T and Lucent Technologies. He served in the National Guard where he was a designated sharpshooter before receiving an honorable discharge.
His passion for sports was seen throughout his life through his successes in basketball, baseball, softball and bowling. Bill is perhaps most known for his successes as a bowler where he became a Great Plains USBC Hall of Fame inductee. Perhaps his greatest accomplishments with sports came as a coach and mentor for his three sons, grandchildren and many young lives in the Derby and Wichita community.
Bill enjoyed fishing, music, movies and was a lifelong St Louis Cardinal baseball fan, KU/KSU/WSU basketball fan, and more recent years a fan of the teams of his grandchildren either by helping to coach or attending their game, often traveling out of town to do so. He enjoyed nothing more than spending as many moments as possible with his grandchildren to share in their lives while taking every opportunity to play marbles or games, listen to music and buy sweet treats for them!
Bill’s passion for life and ability “to stay in the moment” while keeping life simple lifted each day! His unwavering commitment to family and friends, unconditional love, compassion, competitiveness, humor, story telling, servant leadership, integrity and humility were one of a kind. His ability to improve the lives of family and friends by accentuating their unique talents and positive attributes will be missed. He will never be forgotten along with his infectious smile!
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Bervin Hand.
William is survived by his wife, Pat Hand; sons, Tom (Laura), Mike (Katie), and Joe (Stacy) Hand; grandchildren, Griffin, Lucy, Grier, Reid, Gannon, Chase; siblings, Jenny (Johnny) Dirck, Fred (Janet) Hand; sister-in-law, Lonnie Hand; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church Building Fund.