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The Test Connection’s Bill Horner Remembered
November 18, 2020 | I-Connect007 Editorial TeamEstimated reading time: 1 minute

Wilbert (Bill) August Horner Sr., the founder of The Test Connection Inc. and a well-respected engineer, passed away on September 21, 2020. He turned 81 on September 17.
Bill received a bachelor of science degree in engineering, physics, and computer science from Loyola College and a diploma from Baltimore Technical Institute in electronics, broadcast engineering, and industrial electronics.
Before founding The Test Connection Inc. in 1980, Bill had advanced through 20 years in senior ATE and quality management positions at major corporations, such as GenRad, Bendix, Westinghouse, Plantronics, and Hydranautics.
The Test Connection Inc., located in Hunt Valley, Maryland, has been a reliable source for quality test engineering solutions. In light of the growing trend of outsourcing test engineering products and services, Bill founded TTCI and built this test engineering service with the purpose of responding to this need.
He proudly served as a member of the U.S. Army in the special Nike Hercules Fire Control Unit. As an active participant in the ATE community, Bill presented papers and co-sponsors events at major ATE seminars and user group meetings. He was a strong advocate for the local Capitol Chapter of SMTA.
Bill was born on September 17, 1939, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Horner. He is survived by Bert Horner and his wife Monica, Michele Reichart and her husband Shawn, and grandchildren Alex, Leah, Addison, and Cooper.
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