Obituaries
William L. Hoecker
June 25, 1949 - February 9, 2022
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VISITATION
February 17, 2022 | 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. -
Yurs Funeral Home
405 E. Main Street
St. Charles, Illinois 60174 - Funeral
- February 18, 2022 | 1:00 P.M.
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St. Mary Catholic Church
397 Fulton Street
Elgin, Illinois 60120 -
Burial Location
St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Cemetery, 1321 Getzelman Road, Hampshire, Illinois 60120
William Lorenzo Hoecker (June 25, 1949), of Elgin, Illinois, died after a courageous battle on Wednesday, February 9th at the age of 72.
William was the loving husband of 46 years to Janina. His love for her was unparalleled. She brought him so much comfort and peace in his life. Through their life journey together, they had three children. Sara, Kevin (Jenny) and Laura (Fiancé Jason) will miss their Father dearly. When born you would have thought they were the only babies in the world, all perfect in his eyes. He was their protector and biggest fan. Janina and her children are so proud of William and all he accomplished in his 72 years.
As a grandfather, William was no less talented than the World Series winning 2016 Chicago Cubs. The smile you would see on his face when talking about his grandchildren was infectious. Sam, Bella, Grace, Ava, Jules and Jaxson love their Papa and will always remember him fondly.
His loving mother, Norma, 96, is still the head of the Hoecker family and was someone he cared for greatly. His father, also William, passed in the year 2000 and was certainly the first one to welcome “Bill” on his next journey.
The oldest of 4 siblings, William’s supporters throughout his life included Tom (Sue), Beverly (Steve), Chuck (Cheryl) and Paul.
William was a veteran of the Vietnam war, serving as a Corpsman with the Navy and Marines. He saw many things that would have broken the typical 19 year old, but instead chose to be a warrior, always running toward the battle and those that were down. Willing to take on the hard tasks, he worked 3 jobs to support his young family and put himself through University, achieving multiple graduate degrees. Ultimately he became a Superintendent of Schools in Burlington, IL. A true man of God, he spent a great deal of time in the Catholic Church with his wife, Janina, and his many friends there.
Family and Friends will gather for visitation from 4-8:00 pm on Thursday, February 17th at Yurs Funeral Home of St. Charles, 405 East Main Street (Corner of Rt. 64 and Rt. 25). Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 pm, Friday, February 18th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 397 Fulton St., Elgin, IL. Interment will be at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Cemetery 1321 Getzelman Road, Hampshire, IL.
To leave an online condolence or remembrance, please visit the funeral home’s obituary page at www.yursfuneralhomes.com. For more information call the funeral home at 630-584-0060.
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Condolences
Dominic Georgi from Saint John, IN
"So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Bill was a good friend from our NIU college days and he also was a groomsman in my wedding. I have many wonderful memories of Bill."
Diane Pickens from Beecher, IL
"My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. My sincerest sympathies"
Paul Kovacevich from Frankfort, IL
"Bill hired me for my first job at Crete-Monee School District. He was a great boss. Old school and tough, he was well respected and extremely knowledgeable. Deepest sympathies to the family."
Tonya Rutnicki Gomez from Beecher, IL
"My Deepest Condolences to the Family. Semper Fi"
Kim Mosel from Steger , IL
"My deepest sympathies, Jan and the entire Hoecker family. I worked with many admins during my 35 years at CMSD Admin office and Bill was one of my favorites. The years we worked together were some of the best years there. Fond memories."
Sr. M. Paul McCaughey from Brookfield , IL
"Meeting up with Bill as a colleague at DePaul’s College of Education after last seeing him at our graduation from Marian, was such a treasure. So in love with his dear family and so ready to still travel, Bill was a model of a life-long learner and an educator of amazing integrity who gifted students with his own rich experience. Prayers!"
Barbara Rutnicki Meyers from Crete, IL
"My deepest sympathies Jan to you and your children & grandchildren. Sending you my prayers."
Irene McLain from Dyer, IN
"Jan, my sincere condolences to you and your family. Bill was a real gentleman and an overall nice guy. We will miss him. Sending prayers."
Arlene Regnerus (Roosevelt Univ) from Palos Heights, IL
"Dear Kevin & Family~ My deepest sympathies to you all during this heartbreaking time. Your father sounded like a really great man!!"
Nancy Belmont from Geneva, IL
"What a wonderful tribute to a loved man. He raised and cared for beautiful children and grandchildren and we are so thankful for the gift of their friendship."
Bill Surerus from formerly of Elgin, IL
"So sorry for your loss. Served with Bill for many years on the finance council at St Mary. He was a wonderful colleague who always provided the best counsel."
Dan Gasbarro from Glen Ellyn, IL
"Our condolences to the Hoecker families. May your memories of him always keep him close to your heart and mind."
Marie Donovan from Chicago, IL
"Bill's contributions to DePaul's College of Education's mission went beyond teaching courses and advising students. His generous spirit inspired us all to remain grounded in not only 'what' we do as educator preparation faculty but also the 'deeper why' of it. His legacy is far-reaching, for he touched so many University students' lives--and those of the families and communities they're now well-prepared to serve. I'm keeping his soul and his family in my prayers."
Damon Strom from Maple Park, IL
"Mr. Hoecker was the father of one of my closest friends, and a genuinely admirable man. He was kind, properly funny, highly accomplished yet humble, and patient to a degree rare in someone so demanding of themselves. I always felt welcome and respected in his home; it was only years later that I realized how generous and important that was. My thoughts and sincerest condolences go out to his family."
Wanda Zeman from Downers Grove, IL
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Bill so surprisingly soon during a life well lived. Bill was smart, funny, and kind. Jan, our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family for this huge loss."
Patrick & Joanna Santiago from Elgin, IL
"We may only be neighbors but we’re so happy to have known Bill. He was always so friendly & felt the adoration he had towards our 2 year old son. He had an aura to him that he enjoyed being a Grandpa. We’ll miss seeing him outside taking care of his garden. Our deepest condolences Jan & to your family."
John & Kay Opilka from Steger, IL
"Our condolences and thoughts are with the family."
Michael Engelbrecht from Irvine, CA
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hoecker family during this difficult time. Unfortunately, I never had the pleasure of meeting Bill. However, I can attest that Bill's traits of running toward the battle, taking on hard tasks, and genuinely caring for people are strongly evident in Kevin."
Ed and Kate Harrison from Aurora, IL
"Sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. We were friends with him at NIU. Our condolences to Jan and all of his family."