William Eugene Zecher – Obituary

by Lynn McMillen
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William Eugene Zecher was called home by his heavenly Father on January 18th. After battling Lewy Body Dementia for a number of years, he is now fully restored in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
William “Bill” Zecher was born in Middletown, Ohio to Tom and Helen (Joyner) Zecher. His family moved to West Palm Beach, FL when Bill was a child. He graduated from West Palm Beach High School and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida. He completed his Master’s Degree at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
Bill started his career working for the Department of the Navy at Pt. Mugu, CA testing solid rocket motors for sea-launched missile systems. He continued his work with the Department of the Army’s Missile Command (MICOM) as a mechanical engineer focused on missile technology at Redstone Arsenal, AL. The majority of his time was spent in the Advanced Systems Concept Office on the development of the Multi-Purpose Individual Munition/Short-Range Assault Weapon, a light shoulder-fired munition that combined efforts for both the Marines and Army infantry. He took great satisfaction in working with the team to develop a system that could be carried by the soldier or Marine and used in defense of themselves and their team. He retired from the Army after 42 years as a Civil Servant.
While working in California, Bill won the heart of Judith M. Atrops and they married in Oxnard, CA. They moved to Huntsville, AL in 1966 where they built the foundation of their family of 4 children. That foundation has been built into a legacy that now includes 14 grandchildren and one great grandson. Bill’s family was his most precious project. He believed in using his talents and abilities to their utmost in serving the Lord. He was an active part of his children’s and grandchildren’s lives, blessing them with work projects, the love for playing games, and an appreciation for ice cream.
Bill was involved with his home church of Grace Lutheran Church and School in Huntsville, AL for 51 years. He served the church in many areas including elders, evangelism, small group leader, and president of the congregation. He was chairman of some of the building projects and spent many evenings and Saturdays with tools in hand as he built and taught others how to build.
In his retirement years, he spent many hours helping others. He worked on several housing projects with Habitat for Humanity. He did many repair and home projects for others within his church community and for his family, too. He continued to work on the renovation projects still going on within Grace Church and School.

The celebration service for William Zecher will be Friday, January 26th at 11:30 at Grace Lutheran Church in Huntsville, AL.  Family members will receive people 9:30 – 11:30 prior to the service.  Pastors Russ Gipson and Pat Carlson will officiate the service.

Thank you, Bill (Dad), for building a legacy of God’s love as you served each of us during your time on this earth.  We rejoice that you are now completely healed.  We look forward to seeing you again.  All our love, your family.

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the building fund of

Grace Lutheran Church and School

3321 South Memorial Parkway

Huntsville, Alabama 35801

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