William E. Hazelton

WILMINGTON—William E. Hazelton,  74, of Wilmington, passed away Friday, Oct. 19, 2018 at his home.
Born Jan. 29, 1944 in Morris, William Ernest was a son of Ernest and Ursula (Korelc) Hazelton. He was a graduate of Wilmington High School with the class of 1962, and went on to marry Kathleen Marie Quigley in St. Patrick Catholic Church in Wilton Center on Aug. 22, 1964. Together Bill and Kathleen made their home and raised their family in Florence Township.
Bill farmed his entire life, and owned and operated Hazelton Trucking for more than 45 years. He retired from Teamsters Local #179 and continued to enjoy raising cattle. He attended both St. Patrick Catholic Church in Wilton Center, as well as St. Rose Catholic Church in Wilmington, and was a member of the Wilmington Moose Lodge #241. Bill was meticulous in maintaining his property, and took great pride in his home. In his free time, he restored old cars and tractors, and was a fan of auto racing. Bill enjoyed spending time with his Monday night friends, but most of all cherished the time he spent with his family and grandkids.
Survivors include his son, Dave Hazelton (Tammy Kahler) and daughter, Diane (Glen) Earls, both of Wilmington; six grandchildren: Mitch Hazelton, Steffanie Hazelton, Jake Hazelton, Jessica Kahler, Ben Hainline and Will Hainline; one great-granddaughter, Stella; one sister, Carole Hazelton, of Joliet; his sister-in-law, Rosemary (Richard) Pickles, of St. Germain, WI; one nephew, Michael Pickles, of Los Angeles, CA and numerous cousins and friends, as well as his longtime friend, Gary Burmaster, who was also like a brother.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife, Kathleen (March 22, 2012).
The family will receive friends for a visitation on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018 between the hours of 3 and 8 p.m. at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 E. Kahler Rd. in Wilmington. Funeral services will follow Friday morning at 10 a.m. in St. Rose Catholic Church, 604 S. Kankakee St. in Wilmington. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Sebastian Gargol presiding.
Burial will be in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Wilmington, where Bill will be laid to rest with his wife, Kathleen.
Pallbearers will be: Mitch Hazelton, Jake Hazelton, Ben Hainline, Will Hainline, Bill Long and John Lohn.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Bill’s memory to Kuzma Care Cottage, 635 S. Main St., Wilmington, IL 60481 or Hospice of Kankakee Valley, 482 Main St. NW, Bourbonnais, IL 60414 (www.HKVCares.com)
Family and friends may sign the guest book, upload photographs or share Bill’s memorial page online by logging onto: www.BaskervilleFuneral.com/notices/William-Hazelton.
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington.