HP Co-Founder William R. Hewlett Dies

William R. Hewlett, co-founder and former president of Hewlett-Packard Company, and one of the United States' foremost business leaders, technologists and philanthropists, died at home in his sleep

Friday, January 12th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

William R. Hewlett, co-founder and former president of Hewlett-Packard Company, and one of the United States' foremost business leaders, technologists and philanthropists, died at home in his sleep at 8 a.m. PST on January 12, 2001, of natural causes. He was 87 years old.

"Our hearts go out to the families, as we join them in mourning the loss of a great and gentle man," said Carly Fiorina, HP chairman, president and chief executive officer. "We, as stewards of his legacy, will cherish and nurture Bill's bright spirit of invention, remembering and celebrating the rich heritage that he and Dave entrusted us with."

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Technology Pioneer

Hewlett, who retired from active management of HP in 1978, made important contributions throughout his career in technology, science and business. Together with David Packard, who died March 26, 1996, he founded Hewlett-Packard Company here in a one-car garage in 1939. Their original company now consists of two multinational enterprises: Hewlett-Packard Company, with total revenue from continuing operations of $48.8 billion in fiscal year 2000 and more than 88,500 employees, and Agilent Technologies, Inc., with net revenues of more than $10.8 billion in fiscal year 2000 and more than 47,000 employees. The legendary garage -- designated the birthplace of Silicon Valley -- is a California state historical landmark.