William Voedisch, W1UD, of Leominster, Massachusetts, became a Silent Key on January 1. He was 78. Voedisch was an avid CW operator who especially enjoyed operating in the CW National Traffic System nets. In recent years, he was the Manager of the NTS First Region CW net and almost nightly represented the First Region in the Eastern Area Net. He was also active in the Transcontinental Corps, relaying messages to other regional nets around the country.

Voedisch served several terms as ARRL Western Massachusetts Section Manager: from 1987 through 1989, in 1992 and 1993, and again from 1996 through 2005. He was an ARRL Life Member and was the former president of the Montachusett Amateur Radio Association and was still active before his death. Voedisch was the owner and operator of Imperial Television and Radio Service in Leominster since 1954.

Voedisch served as a US Army corporal in the Korean Conflict and its immediate aftermath, serving from 1952-1954. He received the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Voedisch served on the Ways and Means Committee and Cable Commission for the City of Leominster. A funeral service was held on January 6 at St Mark’s Episcopal Church, in Leominster.