Heritage Florida Jewish News - Central Florida's Independent Jewish Voice

William Joseph Kahn passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, in Orlando, Fla., after a courageous battle against kidney disease at the age of 91.

Although accomplished in his professional career and as community service leader in central Florida, Mr. Kahnwas most proud that he was a loving and nurturing husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.

He was born in New York City and attended college at the University of Florida.

At UF, he was a member of Pi Lambda Phi fraternity, ran on the track team, won the Engineering Fair award, and played many sports. After graduating with a degree in engineering, he attended the Nuclear Physics Master’s Degree program at Ohio State University.

Mr. Kahn spent his professional engineering career at Martin Marietta in Orlando and helped develop the first large scale digital and cellular telephone system, managed many high technical programs, won three engineering “Manager of the Year” awards, and started the student work program. 

He lectured around the world, wrote three books, authored 100 articles, and chaired international sessions on automation and automatic testing.

In addition, he was an entrepreneur, developing, producing, and marketing over 100,000 devices to alert drivers they left their car lights on, started a software company, and was VP of commercial think tank.

His community service included time as VP of athletics at the Jewish Community Center, Board membership at two Jewish Temples, tutoring girls in math and the Pace Center, as well as entertaining over 4,000 people at assisted living facilities as “Willie the Clown.” In addition, he lectured to over 2,000 people around central Florida on how to avoid Scams and Frauds. 

His hobbies included extensive travel around the world with his wife, playing tennis, snow skiing whitewater rafting, and photography.

Mr. Kahn is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years; Frances (Spector) Kahn of Orlando, Florida; daughter, Renee (Mark) Wiskup of Tampa, Florida; son, Barry (Grace) Kahn of Orlando, Florida; granddaughters, Sharilyn (Jake) Hafkin of Ashton, Maryland, Christina Kahn of Madison, Wisconsin, Phylicia Kahn of Tampa, Florida and Alaina Kahn of Gainesville, Florida; grandsons, Evan Wiskup, and Spencer Kahn of Washington, D.C .; and great-granddaughters, Hazel and Jasmine Hafkin of Ashton, Maryland.

Graveside service with military honors for Mr. Kahn were held at Temple Israel Cemetery (9302 Morton Jones Road, Gotha, FL) with Rabbi Joshua Neely of Temple Israel officiating and honors by MacDill Air Force Base. May he rest in peace and may his memory always be a blessing.

 The family request memorial donations be made to the following: The American Kidney Fund at www.kidneyfund.org/drive or to Pace Center for Girls, 445 N. Wymore Road, Winter Park, Florida 32789 or www.pacecenter.org in his memory.

Service entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, 933 Lee Road, Suite 101, Orlando, Florida 407-599-1180.