William Hyde

1937 - 2016

WILLIAM C. HYDE, 79 ROSCOE - William C. Hyde, 79, passed away at home on Tuesday, January 12, 2016, with his family by his side. Born in Waukegan, IL on January 4, 1937, the son of Theodore H. and Nellie (Cashmore) Hyde. Bill attended the University of Illinois where he marched in the Illini Band. He graduated from NIU where he was also in the marching band. He received the Best Bandsman award in 1959, at NIU and in 2010, was the Grand Marshall for the NIU Homecoming festivities. He graduated with a Masters degree from the University of Montana and was a member of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity and attended the U of I as an Evans Scholar. Bill taught Math and Journalism at Harlem High School for 40 years and was also an advisor to the school newspaper. He was a timekeeper for basketball games at Harlem for 42 years for which he was inducted into the Illinois Coaches Basketball Hall of Fame. He was also an announcer at football games for many years. Bill was very active in the community. He was on the North Park Fire Department for 40 years, retiring with the rank of Deputy Chief; President of the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association; dispatcher for the Harlem-Roscoe Fire Department for 6 years; active volunteer for the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps for many years and was awarded the Directors Award for Meritorious Service in 1989; first President of the Blackhawk Federation of Teachers; member of Barbershop Group SPEBSQSA and member of Roscoe United Methodist Church and their Men's Group. Bill's favorite pastime was watching NIU football and seeing his grandsons, Robert and William march in the NIU band which his son, William, marched in as well. He loved to fish, finally getting his big Muskie. He attended cross country events to watch Nicholas run and Kaitlyn play basketball. Distance prevented him from watching other grandchildren in their activities. He was an avid bird watcher, becoming an expert on Purple Martins and enjoyed following them on their migration from South America to the many bird houses in his yard. He would give anyone all the facts about his bird hobby as well as NIU sports information. His greatest joy was his family; he loved them dearly and often said he had a great life with no regrets. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patricia (Keigley) Hyde; daughters, Carrie (Jon) Monkemeyer and Susan Todebush; sons, William A. (Ingrid) Hyde and James (Kathy) Hyde; grandchildren, William Hyde, II, Robert Hyde, Nicholas Monkemeyer, Kaitlyn Monkemeyer, Haley Hyde, Ben Hyde, Connor Jordan-Hyde, Kirsten Jordan-Hyde, Colbie Hyde, Brody Hyde, Sarah Kolchis, Emily Todebush and Thomas Todebush; brother, Harland (Nancy) Hyde; sister, Judith (Richard) Rovetto; and many very special nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank all the physicians at Rockford Health Physicians for their kind care throughout his life and his friends from church who made many visits and would listen to his stories. Visitation will be from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, January 17, 2016, in Honquest Family Funeral Home with Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Road, Loves Park. Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, January 18, in Roscoe United Methodist Church, 10816 Main Street, Roscoe. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the family for memorials to be determined at a later date. To share a memory or express condolences, visit honquestfh.com.