William J. Hurd of Mesquite, Nevada passed away on November 17, 2016 after a sudden illness. He was 76 years old.
Bill grew up on Long Island, New York and received his Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering at Clarkson University in 1961 where he was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award in 2011 for leadership and service to profession. He obtained a Master’s degree and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California and in 1967 began a distinguished 40-year career in the Deep Space Network at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, a National Aeronautics and Space Administration Center. He was the recipient of the NASA Exceptional Service Medal for Technical and Managerial Leadership and the JPL Award for Exceptional Technical Excellence. He was the Principal System Architect in Interplanetary Network Directorate, conducted research in Deep Space Communications and Global Position System and was the Deputy Manager of Communications Ground Systems Section. In retirement, he served as a JPL Solar System Ambassador.
Bill is survived by his wife, Elaine; son David (Lisa) of Denver, Colorado; two grandchildren; son Jeff (Lisa) of Burbank, California; brother, Frank of Long Island, New York; nephews, William of Washington, D.C., and James of Annapolis, Maryland.
Bill wrote political commentary, cared deeply about environmental issues and loved animals, having spent many years rescuing homeless dogs. If you wish to honor his memory, please donate to the Humane Society of the Ouachitas (humanesocietyoftheouachitas.org) or Paso Pacifico (pasopacifico.org), both of which represent his passions and are operated by close friends of the Hurds.
There will be a Gathering of Friends at Wolf Creek Golf Club in Mesquite, Nevada on Tuesday, November 29 at 5:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held on Long Island, New York in February 2017. Details will be announced at billhurd.com as they become available. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in their “Guest Book” at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.
Bill was a man of great integrity and compassion. I was honored to have worked alongside him on issues that were important to us. He was an honorable and good man. May God bless him on his journey.
Was honored to know Bill. He put words into action with compassion for people and animals.
Bill,though I barely knew him, knew he was a good man, way above the average , and so much more especially here. He should’ve been on the Power Board. He tried, most in town wouldn’t listen.
He was too good for Mesquite, andMesquite missed out.
I enjoyed meeting you and Bill during our visits to Steamboat. Bill was passionate, knowledgeable, insightful, and an all-around great person. It is a shock to have him taken away so abruptly, and my thoughts and prayers are with you as move through this great loss and change in your life.
The House that Bill Built
Bill became a part time neighbor in the late 90’s when he built a home in Steamboat Springs, Co. But most of you don’t know the story of the home Bill bought for me in 2004 when I left Steamboat amidst a personal crisis. His grand gesture and generosity became a part of my story of survival. When I tell the story the response is always the same: “Who does that? Nobody I know.” That home later became my home and continues to surround me with shelter, security, and memories of Bill’s heart which is the true legacy of the house that Bill built. Forever blessed and grateful to have been touched by Bill’s heart! It was simply too big and over worked for this old world.