Bill Hood

(From Brenner Mortuary)

Colonel (RET) William “Bill” A. Hood, Jr., 95, passed away at 7:20 a.m. Saturday, January 6, 2018 at his home. 

He was born February 5, 1922 at Pittsburg, the son of William A. Sr. and Hazel (Laughlin) Hood. He attended Pittsburg schools and graduated from Pittsburg High School in 1941. After graduation, he was employed by the Kansas City Southern Railroad until drafted into the Army in October 1942. He was assigned to the 96th Infantry Division, and later participated as an infantryman in the invasion of Leyte Island in the Philippines in 1944, and the landing at Okinawa, in 1945. For his leadership in combat on Leyte, he received a Battlefield Commission, and he was cited for several valorous awards and a purple heart for his wounds on Okinawa. He was released from active duty and returned to Pittsburg in February 1946 where he was instrumental in establishing Reserve units in Southeast Kansas. While commanding one of those units, the Engineer Company was called to active duty in October 1950 during the Korean War. After being recalled to active duty, Bill remained in the Army, serving in a variety of assignments from Europe to Korea and in the States. He retired from active duty in Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 1970, in the Grade of Colonel. 

On May 2, 1952, he was united in marriage to Kathleen Morgan at the Methodist Church in Weatherford, Texas. Together they managed to travel the world, serve our country and raise a family. She survives at the family home. In 1972, he moved back to Pittsburg and he became the General Manager of Meadowbrook Mall until he retired in 1987. He continued his support for the military as Area Chairman of the Kansas Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve until 1985. Membership was held in the Pittsburg Kiwanis, National and State Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, life member of Military Officers Association of America, life member of the VFW, the Military Order of World Wars, the American Legion, and the U.S. Army Reserve Officers Association. In his youth, he attended the First United Methodist Church and later in life, attended the First Church of the Nazarene. 

In addition to his wife, Kathleen, he is survived by a son, Major General (Ret) Jay W. Hood and his wife, Lynne of Tampa, Florida; a daughter, Kit Parks and her husband, Brad of Pittsburg; four grandchildren, Jason Hood and his wife, Kristin, Katie West and her husband, Zack, Kelsey Elliott and her husband, Jordan, and Hayden Parks; and one great-granddaughter, Ella West. His parents, and a sister, Betty Lou Bennett, preceded him in death. 

Services will be held 1:30 p.m. Wednesday (Jan 10) at the Brenner Mortuary with Pastor Jim Sukraw officiating. Burial will be in the Mt. Olive Cemetery, where full military rites will be presented by the Ft. Riley Honor Guard. Friends may call from 10:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. The family suggests memorials be given to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, the CFSEK Food Security Fund, or the Southeast Kansas Humane Society. These may be left at or mailed to the Brenner Mortuary, 114 E. 4th St., Pittsburg, KS 66762. Online condolences may be left at www.brennermortuary.com. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Brenner Mortuary, Pittsburg.