STREATOR — William Robert "Bill" Halcott, 66, passed away Monday, Sept. 1, at his home in Streator.
Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, at Solon-Telford Funeral Home with a rosary to be recited at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Sts. Peter and Paul in Leonore. The Rev. Small will officiate. Pallbearers will be Patrick Freeman Sr., Brian Freeman, Patrick Freeman Jr., Ken Ross, Bob Dennison, Rich Gelbuda, Caner Celeboglu and Arturo Tomas. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Mitchell, George Benning, Bill McAlpine, Paul Strack Jr. and Mike Meatheringham.
William, known to many as "Wild Bill," was born Feb. 19, 1948, in Streator, to the late Robert "Commander" and Lucinda (McCauley) Halcott.
"Wild Bill" spent much of his childhood learning the ropes of his family farm from his father, a skill he eventually would pass on to his own son while they maintained Halcott Farms.
He was a 1966 graduate of Streator Township High School, where he was active in multiple sports teams as well as 4-H.
He was a 1970 graduate of Illinois State University in Normal, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. While at ISU, he was on the swim team and a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, Mu Upsilon chapter.
On Aug. 11, 1973, he married the love of his life, Barbara Ann Leskanich. The couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last year.
Bill was a loving, caring and giving husband and father. His greatest title in life was that of Dad, and he gained much joy and pride from watching his two children grow.
In addition to maintaining the farm, Bill worked for Commonwealth Edison for more than 20 years. Work was a way of life for Bill and he enjoyed the many challenges that both La Salle and Dresden power plants provided him throughout his career. He also was a longtime member of Streator Elks Lodge 591 and a first degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Bill was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2002 and has since, alongside his family, been active in various fundraising efforts to increase research and awareness for the disease. In his most recent endeavors, as part of the Copper Triangle Bike Ride, he rode 80 miles through the Rocky Mountains on a tandem bicycle. His son, Brandon, was in the lead, and the two raised funds for the Davis Phinney Foundation. After participating in the event for three years, Bill and Brandon had become staples at the event. Recently, he really enjoyed the friends he made at the Illinois Valley Brain Injury Clubhouse.
His greatest joys were spending time with his family and friends.
He enjoyed the game of golf, a cold beer and a Swisher Sweet cigar. Always ready to greet you with a smile or a witty remark, Bill thrived as a Parkinson's patient and never allowed the disease to dictate who he was or what he could do. His philosophy on life was one of unlimited potential and big dreams, he inspired those lucky enough to know him. He was always optimistic and never complained about the obstacles he dealt with on a daily basis.
He was loved unconditionally and will be missed greatly by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucinda and Robert Halcott.
He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara (Leskanich); a son, Brandon (Jennifer) Halcott, of Chicago; a daughter, Brooke (Nathan) Rittenberry, of Chicago; a sister, Pat Glenn, of New Holland, Ill.; his sister-in-law, Andrea (Patrick) Freeman, of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico; and nephews, Patrick (Kaya) Freeman Jr., of Coral Gables, Fla., and Brian (Carrie) Freeman, of Corrales, New Mexico.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wild Bill's Warriors at wildbillswarriors.org, an organization started by his children in the continued fight against Parkinson's. Be Wild.
Online condolences may be left for the family at solontelford.com.
Sherry Mascal
STREATOR — William Robert "Bill" Halcott, 66, passed away Monday, Sept. 1, at his home in Streator.
Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, at Solon-Telford Funeral Home with a rosary to be recited at 3:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, at Sts. Peter and Paul in Leonore. The Rev. Small will officiate. Pallbearers will be Patrick Freeman Sr., Brian Freeman, Patrick Freeman Jr., Ken Ross, Bob Dennison, Rich Gelbuda, Caner Celeboglu and Arturo Tomas. Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Mitchell, George Benning, Bill McAlpine, Paul Strack Jr. and Mike Meatheringham.
William, known to many as "Wild Bill," was born Feb. 19, 1948, in Streator, to the late Robert "Commander" and Lucinda (McCauley) Halcott.
"Wild Bill" spent much of his childhood learning the ropes of his family farm from his father, a skill he eventually would pass on to his own son while they maintained Halcott Farms.
He was a 1966 graduate of Streator Township High School, where he was active in multiple sports teams as well as 4-H.
He was a 1970 graduate of Illinois State University in Normal, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. While at ISU, he was on the swim team and a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, Mu Upsilon chapter.
On Aug. 11, 1973, he married the love of his life, Barbara Ann Leskanich. The couple celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last year.
Bill was a loving, caring and giving husband and father. His greatest title in life was that of Dad, and he gained much joy and pride from watching his two children grow.
In addition to maintaining the farm, Bill worked for Commonwealth Edison for more than 20 years. Work was a way of life for Bill and he enjoyed the many challenges that both La Salle and Dresden power plants provided him throughout his career. He also was a longtime member of Streator Elks Lodge 591 and a first degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
Bill was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2002 and has since, alongside his family, been active in various fundraising efforts to increase research and awareness for the disease. In his most recent endeavors, as part of the Copper Triangle Bike Ride, he rode 80 miles through the Rocky Mountains on a tandem bicycle. His son, Brandon, was in the lead, and the two raised funds for the Davis Phinney Foundation. After participating in the event for three years, Bill and Brandon had become staples at the event. Recently, he really enjoyed the friends he made at the Illinois Valley Brain Injury Clubhouse.
His greatest joys were spending time with his family and friends.
He enjoyed the game of golf, a cold beer and a Swisher Sweet cigar. Always ready to greet you with a smile or a witty remark, Bill thrived as a Parkinson's patient and never allowed the disease to dictate who he was or what he could do. His philosophy on life was one of unlimited potential and big dreams, he inspired those lucky enough to know him. He was always optimistic and never complained about the obstacles he dealt with on a daily basis.
He was loved unconditionally and will be missed greatly by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucinda and Robert Halcott.
He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara (Leskanich); a son, Brandon (Jennifer) Halcott, of Chicago; a daughter, Brooke (Nathan) Rittenberry, of Chicago; a sister, Pat Glenn, of New Holland, Ill.; his sister-in-law, Andrea (Patrick) Freeman, of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico; and nephews, Patrick (Kaya) Freeman Jr., of Coral Gables, Fla., and Brian (Carrie) Freeman, of Corrales, New Mexico.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wild Bill's Warriors at wildbillswarriors.org, an organization started by his children in the continued fight against Parkinson's. Be Wild.
Online condolences may be left for the family at solontelford.com.
Solon-Telford Funeral Home
301 S. Park St., Streator, IL 61364