Sergeant First Class (SFC) William “Bill” VanHooks, Jr. was born 9 June 1955 in Memphis, TN to William and Mardest (Knowles) VanHooks. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was an alumnus of Douglass High School class of 1973. It was here that he became a JROTC cadet, that changed the course of his life thereafter. After high school, William voluntarily enlisted into the U.S. Army, after having served 22 years active duty, Bill retired in 1995. Immediately following his active-duty service, he initiated the EVSC Army Junior ROTC program, as the original founding instructor, and retired in 2017 after 22 years of service to the Evansville community. He wanted to give back to the program that got him out of the gangs in Memphis and started him on the path to teaching youth how to be today’s leaders.

William loved God and Country and was fully committed to both. As a member of Liberty Missionary Baptist Church, he sang in the male chorus. He was a Paid Up For Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and The American Legion (TAL), serving the American Legion as the Dept. of Indiana JROTC Chairman, 8th District Vice-Commander (West Division), 8th District Chaplain, and Past Commander of the American Legion Otis Stone Post 354. He was a fraternal member of the Masons Prince Hall Hub City Lodge 172. Additionally, William was a Kentucky Colonel and was part of the Veterans History Project – American Memory in which his veteran interview with former Senator Richard Lugar is catalogued in the Library of Congress. On February 3, 2021 he was named the Veteran of the Day.

William is preceded in death by infant Baby Boy VanHooks, son, Marlon VanHooks, mother, Mardest VanHooks and brother, Andrew VanHooks. His life will be remembered with love by his “Happily Ever After” wife, Diana Patrick VanHooks, six children; William (Sylvia)VanHooks III, Mordecai (Gia) Miller, Preston (Tiffany) VanHooks, Michael Eric Miller, Jennifer VanHooks-Jones, Micah Ethan Miller; 11 grand-children, father, William VanHooks, Sr.; siblings; Glendolyn (Philip) Newmuis, Ronald (Carol) VanHooks, Rhea (Greg) Foster, Marcia (Melvin) Thurmon, and Cedric (Catrina) VanHooks, Sr.; aunts, Barbara (Lawrence) Fugh, Elma (Robert) Walker and Cynthia Russell, a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, the EVSC Army JROTC program, military veterans and friends from around the world. Memorial Services held Friday, November 5, at Calvary COGIC, 1532 Ellington St, Memphis, TN 38108. Visitation 10:00 - 11:59 AM. Funeral immediately following at 12 noon. Interment at Memphis National Cemetery, 3568 Townes Avenue, Memphis, TN 38122 with full military rites.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Operation Comfort Warriors. https://mylegion.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Give/Donate-Online/Donate-Now?CashProductld=134418