Bill B. Chandler
June 30, 1935 – September 10, 2017
Bill Chandler, a long-time resident of Colorado Springs, prominent electronics executive, entrepreneur, aviator and devoted husband and family man passed away in Colorado Springs on September 10, 2017. He had suffered from ill health for several months but died peacefully surrounded by family.
Bill was born in Garden City, Missouri and came to Colorado Springs in 1940 with his parents, Kenneth and Irma, and brother, Don, after Irma’s doctors advised that the family should seek a dry climate for treatment of her tuberculosis. Bill attended public schools in Colorado Springs and graduated from Palmer High in 1953. He then attended the University of Colorado and graduated with a Degree in Business Administration in 1957.
Bill’s lifetime career in electronics began with several technical and managerial positions with Emerson Electric, Clifton Precision Products, and Litton Industries.
Bill started his signature company Electro-Mech Inc. in 1971. Bill built the company from a small force of 8 to a maximum of 700 employees in the 1980s. The company had manufacturing facilities in Colorado Springs and Chihuahua, Mexico. Electro-Mech was one of the pioneers in utilization of the Maquiladora program in Mexico. Bill exhibited great organizational and engineering skills in adapting the products of the company to the rapidly changing, diverse and burgeoning electronics industry in Colorado. Electro-Mech provided a wide range of products – including Nokia power supplies, computer components for IBM, Texas Instruments, and Skil. Bill was the CEO of Electro-Mech throughout its existence and was ably assisted by his wife, Carol, who served as the CFO.
Electro-Mech was acquired by the German mega-corporation, Friwo Inc., in 1998 but Bill stayed on as an advisor on international marketing and production for a number of years. He and Carol traveled to Europe, Asia and South America to consult on industry practices and trends.
Beyond Electro-Mech, Bill also served in various national electronic trade and advisory positions including as the Colorado Chairman of the American Electronics Association.
Bill had a life-long interest in aviation. He acquired his private pilot’s license in 1978 and often flew his plane on business to Mexico in addition to enjoying many flights to their Gunnison home, family reunions and fishing trips. Bill was also very active in the management of Meadow Lake Airport and was instrumental in the acquisition of property, obtaining FAA grants and acquiring FAA approval for a major expansion of the airport.
Bill’s immediate family and extended family were always of utmost importance in his life. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Carol, daughters, Kendra Mayberry and Tracy Chandler-Maez (Levi), sons, Bradley (Kellie) and Brian, grandchildren, Megan, Whitney, Adam, Emma, Duncan and one great-grandchild, Lucia, all of Colorado Springs. Bill is also survived by his brother, Don and wife Eddy of Piedmont, California.
A Celebration of Life event for Bill will be held at the Garden of the Gods Club on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 2pm. Address is 3320 Mesa Road, Colorado Springs CO 80904.
In lieu of gifts or flowers, please send contributions in Bill’s name to AEFCO, a charitable organization providing training and scholarships in aviation for young people in Colorado (aefco.org) or to the charity of your choice.