Hanns Wittjen's Obituary
Hanns Wittjen, died at Baptist Memorial Hospital Sunday afternoon, August 9, 2009. He was eighty-two years old.He was born March 15, 1927 in Holly Springs, MS, the son of Hanns and Mary Walker Hudson Wittjen. During World War II, he volunteered into the U. S. Navy the day he was 18 years old. After the war he returned to Mississippi to continue his education, attending the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University. He later moved to Memphis, joining the firm of Cook and Nichol, Inc., starting a long career in the mechanical engineering field. He later became president and owner of Cook and Nichol, Inc., as well as Dixie Refrigeration, Inc., Industrial Information Systems, Inc., and Mechanical Construction Systems, Inc. He also served as president of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers, Memphis Chapter; President of Memphis Mechanical Contractors Association and served on the International Board of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Consultants. Since most of his installations were throughout the country, Mr. Wittjen became a pilot to make the installations more accessible, fulfilling a life long interest in flying. While living in Holly Springs, he was a member of Christ Episcopal Church, serving on the vestry. In Memphis, he had been a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church.He leaves his wife Jeanne Morris Wittjen, and his daughter Jeanie Wittjen Stafford. He was preceded in death by another daughter Andrea Walker Wittjen in 2007. He also leaves his son-in-law Steven Randall Stafford, and a grandson Steven Randall Stafford, II. Mr. Wittjen also leaves his sister, Virginia Wittjen Lacey of Jackson, MS, and a brother, Jackson Hudson Wittjen of Oxford, MS.The visitation for Mr. Wittjen will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery Wednesday, August 12 from 5-7 p.m. The funeral service will be held at Memorial Park Funeral Home Thursday, August 13 at 1 p.m.Memorials may be sent to St. John’s Episcopal Church or The American Cancer Society.
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