William "Bill" R. Hawk

William “Bill” R. Hawk, of Mt. Carroll, IL, passed away at the age of 88, at UW Madison Hospital on November 9, 2025. Cremation rites will be accorded.

Born on August 26, 1937, in Thomson, IL, to William M. and Mary (Halfman) Hawk, Bill grew up with a strong connection to the land. From a young age, he was drawn to farming, often helping local farmers plow their fields late into the night. That early passion blossomed into a lifelong career in agriculture, culminating in two decades of dedicated service at Swiss Valley Farms.

On July 20, 1957, Bill married the love of his life, Jeanine “Jeanie” Hovorka, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Savanna. Together, they built a life grounded in faith, family, and community. As lifelong members of St. John the Baptist, their shared devotion was a cornerstone of their marriage.

Bill also served his community as a volunteer member of the Carroll County Sheriff’s Deputy Radio Patrol. His hobbies reflected his love for the land and machinery. He was an avid collector of toy tractors and trucks, curating an impressive collection over the years. He found joy in mowing the lawn, a task he took pride in even in his later years, always offering tips to his grandson, who took over the chore.

Each morning, Bill could be found feeding the birds, a quiet ritual that brought him peace. He and Jeanie cherished watching the eagles soar over the Mississippi River, often taking a different route home to enjoy a change of scenery. Bill had a way of finding beauty in the everyday and never missed a chance to enjoy the view.

Bill will be deeply missed by his wife of 68 years, Jeanie; son, William J. (Laurie) Hawk, of Mt. Carroll; daughter, Penny (Mike) Ward, of Williamstown, NJ; grandchildren, Riley and Crystal; great-grandson, Jack; and many beloved extended family members. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Mary; sisters, Cecilia (Leo) Zemke and Barb (Alvin) Schnitzler; and brother, Francis (Carol) Hawk.