A CHAMPION REMEMBERED 
Colonel William H. (Bill) Crisp

Open Hand has lost a cherished friend and champion in the passing of Colonel William H. (Bill) Crisp, (US Army; Retired).  Bill was an ardent supporter of Open Hand for 20 years, serving in nearly every volunteer capacity – from the Board of Directors to Advisory Board to faithfully delivering meals to our clients, which was his most treasured contribution.  That he valued most the hands-on work of fulfilling our mission speaks volumes about the character and compassion of this kind and decent gentleman. 

Bill may have treasured his hands-on work most, but he did much more for Open Hand than has ever been mentioned.  A major crisis occurred during Open Hand’s early, difficult days when we were experiencing exponential growth — from serving less than a hundred clients to over nine hundred — in less than a year.  We couldn’t pay the grocery invoices, and were on the verge of closing down.  Bill came to the rescue, and not only paid the tab but guaranteed future payment.  His only condition was that his acts of generosity remain anonymous. (Sorry Bill – when I promised I would never tell this, I meant in your lifetime, not mine.) 

Following that, Bill did much to ensure that this would never happen again.  He began to consciously and actively champion our needs among his extensive network of influential and connected friends – a practice he continued for the rest of his life. 

In the nonprofit world we call people like Bill “angel” supporters.  How appropriate.   Bill and his partner of forty years, Mike Render, are not only long-time Open Hand supporters; they have been my dear friends, my rock, for nearly thirty years.  On behalf of our founder, Michael Edwards- Pruitt, the past and current Board of Directors, and all Open Hand staff, past and present, we honor Bill with great appreciation and fondness, and offer our condolences to his partner Mike.

Our angel has taken flight, and we wish him Godspeed on his journey home.  

Mike has asked that anyone who would like to honor Bill do so by making a contribution to Open Hand in Bill's memory.