William Joseph Gruner, 80, passed away Tuesday, November 14 2017, at his home in Huntsville, AL. Born in Indiana, he grew up on a farm helping his family raise crops, milk cows, and tend to their menagerie of animals. A third generation German immigrant, he was the first in his family to go to college and graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Physics. His first job was with the last B-52s being built in Wichita, KS. Seeing the last one roll off the line, he set his sights on Huntsville to be a part of the US Space Program applying his acoustical and engineering background. He was so proud to support NASA on the Saturn and Shuttle programs during the design and development phases. Later in his career, he transitioned over to the Dept. of Defense on numerous programs like Navy ship silencing, and THAAD and GMD related radars. In fact, his work with radar cross section algorithms and models are still being used after nearly 20 years.
He’ll be remembered for his gentle, giving spirit, the twinkle in his eye, his laugh, his deep faith, and the joy radiating from his ever present smile. After retiring, he and his wife, Lisa-Cade, decided to travel in a Roadtrek motorhome immersing himself in God’s divine creation all across North America and making wonderful friends all along the way. He is deeply loved by so many and will be truly missed.
Bill is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lisa-Cade Smith Gruner; his daughter, Leslie Cade Gruner, of Huntsville, AL; his son, Garrett Westmark (Jenny) of Round Rock, TX; two grandsons, Jeremey Smith and Corbin Westmark; two granddaughters, Jorja Westmark and Chance Westmark; his mother-in-law, Cade Smith; one brother, John Gruner; and three cousins, Nancy Crabtree (Jim) of Surprise, AZ, Jane Hadley of Anderson, IN, and Sue Moreland of Anderson, IN.
Visitation and memorial service will held Tuesday, November 21, 2017, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 8020 Whitesburg Drive, Huntsville, AL. Visitation is from 2 pm to 4 pm with the service at 4:00 pm followed by a reception in the parish hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD), online at https://www.episcopalrelief.org/what-you-can-do/give/donate-now/individual-donation or Camp McDowell, wwmcdowell.dioala.org, 105 DeLong Road, Nauvoo, AL 35578.
