Bill James Hand

Obituary Bill was born on September 6, 1922 at Tacoma General Hospital to William J and Mary Jane Hand. He died December 12, 2007 at Tacoma General Hospital. Bill met the love of his life, Jo Ann Casebeer, in 1943 on an eastbound train. Bill was returning to Camp Campbell, Kentucky from a furlough. They married on August 4, 1944. Soon thereafter, Bill went overseas to serve in combat with the 14th Armored Division, Company C. Bill was assigned to drive an M4A2 General Sherman Tank. The 14th Armored Division "Liberators" saw combat in Hatten-Rittershoffen. Bill retired after 33 years of Federal Civil Service from the Department of Supervisor of Shipbuilding at Sandpoint, Seattle, as Quality Assurance Specialist Supervisor. In the early 1990's, Bill accepted a position in Kaohsiung, Taiwan as Structural Surveyor to the Republic of China Navy. Upon returning to University Place, Bill served as a volunteer to the UP Police Department in the BAT (Business Anti Theft) Program for several years. As an old tank driver, Bill loved to drive. He and Jo Ann drove to every state in the continuous 48 except to North and South Carolina. Traveling and the UW Huskies football team were his hobbies. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Jo Ann, his parents, and his brother-in-law, Jess Barger. Survivors include his son Greg, daughter Mike Konek (Jim), brother Ken Hand (Kathy), sister-in-law Dorothy Barger, grandchildren Paul Konek, Salli Brandon (Mike), Beth Casey (Scott), great-grandchildren Sophia, Alexis, Bella Maria, Amelia Jo Ann Casey and Collin Brandon, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St Charles Borromeo Church on Thursday, December 20th at 11am.There will be a Rosary recited on Wednesday December 19th at 7pm at Gaffney Funeral Home. Interment will follow the Mass at the Tahoma National Cemetery at 2:00pm.