SFC William VanHooks Jr.

Sergeant First Class (SFC) William VanHooks, Jr. (US Army Ret.) affectionately known as “Bill” in Memphis and “Sarge” everywhere else, was born June 9, 1955, in Memphis, TN to William and Mardest (Knowles) VanHooks. He accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and was a member of Liberty Missionary Baptist Church. William voluntarily enlisted into the U.S. Army, retiring in 1995. After which, he moved to Evansville to initiate the EVSC Army Junior ROTC program, retiring after 22 years in 2017.
William loved God and Country and was fully committed to both. He was a faithful member of Liberty Missionary Baptist Church where he sang in the male chorus. He was a Paid Up For Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and The American Legion. He served the American Legion as the Dept. of Indiana JROTC Chairman, 8th District Vice-Commander (West Division), 8th District Chaplain, and past commander of the Otis Stone Post 354. He was a member of the Sterling Club, the fraternal Masons Prince Hall Hub City Lodge 172, and the SIMA100 mentoring program.
William is preceded in death by Infant VanHooks, son: Marlon VanHooks, mother: Mardest VanHooks, and brother: Andrew VanHooks. His life shall be remembered by the love of his life, 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 grandchildren; father: William VanHooks, Sr.; His siblings: Glendolyn (Philip) Newmuis, Ronald (Carol) VanHooks, Rhea (Greg) Foster, Marcia (Melvin) Thurmon & Cedric (Catrina) VanHooks; three aunts: Barbara Fugh, Elma (Robert) Walker and Cynthia Russell; and many more. Service is Thursday, November 11 at Christian Fellowship Church, 4100 Millersburg Rd., Evansville, IN 47725 from 5-8 PM. R. Mason Brothers Memorial Chapel is entrusted with local arrangements.