July 10, 1920 – April 28, 2022
William G. Denhard, formerly of Reading, passed away peacefully on April 28, 2022, in Peabody, Ma. Born on July 10, 1920, Bill grew up in Flushing and Bayside, NY. As a student, he was active in swimming and track and was student body president in high school. He continued his education at MIT where he was active on the swim team, joined the Alpha Mu Chapter of Phi Kappa Sigma, was elected class treasurer, and earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering degree in 1942. After failing several attempts to enlist due to poor eyesight the Army drafted him in WW II.
Bill had many lifelong interests including hiking, camping, swimming, gardening and beekeeping. He was an active participant in his church and choir and stayed connected with a close circle of friends from his daily activities and from his MIT years. He was recognized by his fraternity for seven decades of leadership and service in 2014.
Bill’s working career initially strayed from his engineering degree. He lived in a self-powered railroad car traveling around the US looking for actual or potential track breaks. Next he sold heavy industrial equipment and then Ford trucks (not a huge success- his words). His last job was 35 years at the MIT Instrumentation Lab which transitioned into the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory. As Head of the Air Force Programs Department reporting directly to Dr, Draper, Bill worked with a team of committed and talented support staff, engineers and technicians to design, build and test what were, and still may be, the world’s most reliable and accurate gyroscopes. The team also developed the world’s best instrument ball bearings and comparable gas bearings. These engineering achievements contributed greatly to the success of the MX missile guidance systems. In April 2019, by name and photo, Bill was included among many other contributors in the Draper Lab Apollo 19 exhibit and commemoration of those who Imagined, Innovated & Invented.
Bill was married to Barbara for 69 years until she passed away in 2016. They enjoyed family vacations at Ossipee Lake, a cross country family driving trip, hiking and skiing in the White Mountains and hiking Chocorua with his grandchildren in the 90’s. Bill and Barbara loved to travel and made several trips to China as well as a river cruise in Europe and visits to England, Australia, Bermuda and extensive travels in the US and Canada.
Family came first and Bill and Barbara both enjoyed time with their grandchildren over the years and the many family gatherings during the holidays. Bill is survived by three sons, Craig Denhard and his wife Tammy (Franktown, CO), George Denhard and his wife Flory (Marblehead, MA) and Bruce Denhard and his wife Karin (Barrington, NH) and their three grandchildren Adam Denhard and his wife Lexi Doolittle, (Reading, Ma), Mollie Denhard (Salem, MA) and CJ Denhard (San Diego, CA).
A visitation will be held on Monday, May 9, 2022 at the Douglass, Edgerley & Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St) Reading from 10am-12pm. A Memorial Service will take place at Brooksby Village Chapel, 100 Brooksby Village Dr., Peabody MA Tuesday, May 10th, 2022 at 12:30 pm. Burial is private.
In honor of Bill’s devotion to his wife Barbara in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Assoc. MA/NH Chapter 309 Waverly Oaks Rd. Waltham, MA 02452.
