William T. Hebel, Jr.

Bill was always a kind and respectful person who gave of his self whenever asked at BAE Systems and predecessor companies such as Sanders Associates. Bill was my mentor while I was a junior physicist and continued to be my mentor when I had the privilege to be his manager. Charlie Dionne

While I was the Education Director at Main Street Church, Bill was the Sunday School Superintendent. That is the role I most remember him for. He always made sure the heat was on during classes, even tinkering with the furnace if need be. He also made sure the walkways were shoveled. He went above and beyond. He would keep kids happily occupied who had trouble sitting through a class. He had such a dry wit and would try to stump people with clever problems to solve. It was interesting to hear from people who knew him from work and younger years. I will fondly remember him as Mr. Bill, the guy who put the fun gadgets out for kids to see and play with as they entered the building for Sunday School.

I worked closely with Bill at Sander's Associates for 34 years. He was one of two of the most brilliant technologists I had the pleasure to work with there. He developed a complicated guided missile computer simulation more detailed and precise that the missile manufacturer's own s model. The early computers at Sanders didn't have sufficient native memory to store Bill's program, so he had to download it every day from a foot long stack of punched cards. The hundreds of cards had to be in exact order, so he frequently fretted one might become misplaced in the order. Bill often interrupted his work to help a coworker solve a perplexing technical problem, often taking several hours away from his on duties, always without grumbling about it. His kindness and patience matched his technical brilliance.

Bill was my roommate my first year at MIT (Room 323, Ashdown House, for those who like detail). I first remember him sitting in a chair that I don't think was intended to be a lounger but served. He had on his headset listening to classical music. I hadn't had a roommate before so I kept quiet until I got to know him. He was always pleasant, low key. He would get excited about the wonders of Kraft's Miracle Whip and wanted all to know how it could transform a sandwich into a banquet. As I got to know him better, I came to realize what an exceptional person he was without appearing to be exceptional at all. I'm sure none of you are surprised at that. As I think about our shared time together, I don't ever recall his getting angry. He was peaceful, deriving his pleasure from the intellect. And some intellect it was. It was no accident that he was at MIT in the very tough fusion option. After graduation, we found ourselves living about 25 miles apart for the rest of our lives. We'd have dinner with another mutual friend once or twice a year. I wish you could have been at the table - I wish I could still be. The conversations ranged all over with our particular shared interest in technology. As time continued to go by, I also continued to know his depth as a Christian and as a man comfortable with the wonders of technology. I am fortunate to know some decent people but I cannot think of one who was more ethical, thoroughly upright, kind, than Bill Hebel (occasionally Heeble to the uninitiated). He is a loss for us all.

I most remember Bill as a faithful member of the church and the choir. I also remember him as a youth leader, Sunday School Superintendent and helping with the ham and bean suppers. For many years he talked about the work he did on the family farm in Pennsylvania. I remember him having poison ivy from working there, but he wouldn't let that stop him.

I was so sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. We shared a connection to Pennsylvania and I always enjoyed our conversations at church and during the monthly bean suppers. He will be so missed by his church family. Rest In Peace Bill.