William "Bill" Hoskins

Bill Hoskins, 91, passed away August 31, 2013 in Sun City Center, Florida. Bill filled his long life with adventure, accomplishment, love, and fun. His mother might have described him in musical terms as being in "perpetual motion". This was to be a lifelong trait. Bill was born on July 23, 1922 in Chicago, and raised in Libertyville, Illinois - the second of three sons of a remarkable couple, Glenn and Louise Hoskins. As a boy, he was active in several sports, and was a star of the Libertyville Boys Club boxing team. He loved riding his bike down St. Mary's Road to his great friends the Ericksons, who allowed him to get really grimy (which he relished) working on their farm. In high school he captained the football team, was class president, and was editor of the high school paper, Drops of Ink. Most importantly, in Libertyville High School's Brainerd Building, 15-year old Bill Hoskins met the surpassingly beautiful 17-year old Jessie Shields, and fell for her immediately – and for life. After high school, he attended Purdue, studying mechanical engineering, also serving as editor of Purdue's daily newspaper, the Exponent. While at Purdue, the U.S. entered World War II and he enlisted in the Army Air Corps (later, Air Force). Lieutenant William Hoskins spent the war years as an Air Corps flight instructor, married Jessie, and fathered his elder son, Mike. Mustering out of the Air Force in 1945, Bill completed his BS in mechanical engineering at Purdue and went to work for his father in the family engineering consultancy firm, specializing mainly in the production of pasta products. Soon thereafter, Tony was born. He and wife, Jessie raised Mike and Tony in that idyllic "Leave it to Beaver" world of small-town America that was Libertyville in the 1950s. How lucky they were. When Bill's father, Glenn Hoskins, became ill in 1961, he took over First Lake County National Bank (of which Glenn had been president). Bill worked at the bank (eventually re-named First National Bank of Libertyville) as president and chairman of the board for 20 years. During these years Bill and Jessie were active in social and charitable organizations. Both were avid tennis players. And, as always, there was sailing! Spray, Jessie May, and Victory – such great times and memories. In 1970 came Bill's "absolute favorite job". While still a bank president, he decided to embark on cattle ranching in the Ozarks. Flying down in their Mooney from Illinois to southern Missouri as often as his banking activities allowed, Bill & Jessie bought 1,100 acres of partly-forested, rolling Ozark hill country. So, Bill and Jess's, Flying H Ranch years were launched. They cleared a lot of land, planted grass, built a house and barn, installed fencing, and built up a large herd of cattle (Black Angus, Hereford, and Brown Swiss mix). He returned with joy to the sweat and grime of farm work he had so much enjoyed as a boy, helping on the Erickson's farm. In 1981, Bill & Jessie moved to Sun City Center, Florida, where he took on the duties of president of the Sun City Center Bank. Retiring from this bank, he came back to Illinois to serve as president of First Colonial Bank's branch in Vernon Hills. Some years later, he tried retirement one more time. They decided to sell their home in Lake Forest and the Flying H. Ranch in Missouri, and to live full time on a sailboat. In about 1990, they bought a 60' steel-hulled ocean-going sailboat they named En Avant. In it they cruised the eastern seaboard. Favorite ports of call were Oxford, Maryland and the Bahamian "out island" of Great Exuma. In 1993, they brought En Avant up the Tombigbee Canal; to the Great Lakes, arriving for their very festive 50th anniversary party at the Waukegan Yacht Club. Continuing on, they sailed through the Great Lakes to Buffalo, New York, where son, Tony joined them. Taking the mast down, they motored down the Erie Canal to Albany. Tony left them there, and they continued down the Hudson River to New York City and down the Atlantic coast, back to Florida. Quite a huge nautical loop that was, during their 50th year of marriage! In 1995, his wife, Jessie failing health decided them to make a home once more in Sun City Center, Florida. She died there in December 1995. Bill continued to ride his bike 40-50 miles a day for much of the rest of his life. He married Mom's good friend, Pat Trimble, and they had many good years together till Pat's death in 2011. The past few years hadn't been easy for Bill. But, despite all the frustrations of old age and dementia, his accustomed kindness, good manners, and good humor won him friends to the very last. Dad leaves behind his sons Mike (Barbara), and Tony; his grandsons Tom (Jenny) and John (Marian), and great grandsons, Ryan and Zachary. They will remember Bill Hoskins with great love and gratitude for the rest of their lives and count themselves blessed to have been his sons and grandsons. Private services with interment at Lakeside Cemetery in Libertyville. Arrangements made by BURNETT-DANE FUNERAL HOME in Libertyville. For info: 847-362-3009 or sign the guestbook at www.burnettdane.com.

William "Bill" Hoskins

July 23, 1922 - August 31, 2013