William Harwood Jr.

William "Bill" Harwood entered in to heaven on November 28, 2023. We mourn our loss, but rejoice that Bill is free of pain, reunited with his parents and in the presence of his Savior. Bill was born October 7, 1953 to Don and Ethel Harwood. They moved to Albuquerque when Bill was still a toddler. Bill began playing clarinet and saxophone in elementary school and did not stop. He graduated from Sandia High School and received his bachelors and master's degrees in electrical engineering from the University of New Mexico. He had many fond memories of his thirteen years working in Ridgecrest CA at China Lake. He loved performing with Big Band Express and Station Street. Ridgecrest offered Bill opportunities for many friendships with other musicians and ham radio operators. He moved back to NM in 2001 to be near to his aging parents. Bill retired from Missile Defense Agency in 2021 after having had the privilege of working on Airborne Laser Testbed. He loved being an uncle to Brittney, LiLi, Kai, and William. They brought him much joy. Bill is preceded in death by his parents Don and Ethel Harwood. He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Tanya, his in-laws, Dwayne and Dorothy Maxwell, his niece, Brittney Cunningham of Wimauma, FL, "bonus" family Warren, Arricka, LiLi and Kai Maxwell of Greensburg PA, and Greg, Jennifer, and William Maxwell of Goodyear, AZ.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, December 8, 2023, 2:00 p.m. at FRENCH-Lomas with a reception to follow.