Obituary of William Barry Hand

On Sunday, October 6, 2019, William Barry Hand, loving husband and father of two, passed away at age 68, after a short illness.

Barry was born on March 28, 1951 in Millville, NJ to William and Janice (Grassman) Hand, both of whom preceded him in death.  He is survived by his wife of 30 years Janet, his daughter Stacy Lynn and son William Troy along with 5 grandchildren.  Also surviving him is his brother Gary and sister Shelley.

He was a Licensed Civil Engineer, obtaining his degree from the University of Pittsburgh and his Professional Engineer License from the state of Nevada.  He spent his 38 years working for various branches of the Federal Government, including the Navy, Army, Air Force and Bureau of Land Management.  Some of his favorite accomplishments included construction of the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, the Drydock and other waterfront facilities at NSB Kings Bay, Georgia, and serving as the Director for Operations and Safety for the Weapons and Energetics Department at China Lake, California.  At China Lake he received The Charles C. Lauritsen Award which recognizes outstanding, individual achievement in the advancement of technology in energetic materials, ordnance, propulsion and fuzing.

Barry loved the outdoors and traveled to 49 states, 33 U.S. National Parks and countless other monuments and parks throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.  He also loved woodworking which he enjoyed when he wasn’t traveling.  In retirement Barry volunteered for community organizations including the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation, Nevada Woodchucks and Washoe County Sheriff’s Community Emergency Response Team.  Those who encountered him in pursuit of his hobbies will remember him for his sense of humor, devious smile and his compassionate spirit.

At his request, no services will be held.  Donations in his memory will gladly be accepted by the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation, 50 Cowan Drive, Reno, NV 89509, https://www.tmparksfoundation.org/, or the Nevada Woodchucks, P.O. Box 20285 Reno, NV 89515-0285, https://www.nevadawoodchucks.org/.