William "Bill" Axel Stockhaus

Age 90, passed away on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at his residence in Elwood surrounded by his family.

Born January 9, 1932 in Chicago, IL, the son to Axel William and Christina (Andersen) Stockhaus. Bill was raised and educated in Chicago and graduated from high school in 1950. On June 27, 1953 he married Lois Rae Hoag at Messiah Lutheran Church in Chicago and together they cherished 64 years until her passing on April 2, 2018. He and his wife moved to Chicago, and in 1969 moved to Homer Township in Lockport before relocating to Rodgers, Arkansas and finally settling in Elwood. Bill proudly worked for the United States Postal Service for 30 years until his retirement on July 1, 1991. During Bill’s time in Arkansas he was an active member of the Beaver Lake Yacht Club and the Adopt a Road Foundation. Both he and Lois enjoyed ushering at the Arkansas Razorback games, as well as playing golf on Friday nights with Willow Run Golf League.

Bill was a very positive thinker who was patient but held a firm mentality. He and his wife were very active having enjoyed going to Acapulco for over 30 years with the family. Bill loved spending summer’s with his family in Arkansas. He was an avid fisherman who liked playing cards games and was known to be very competitive. Bill loved making homemade pizza day on Sundays with his family, and will always be remembered for his enjoyment of the holidays. Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.  

Survivors include three daughters: Sheryl (Randy) Friebele of High Point, North Carolina; Julie (Steven) Friebele of Elwood, Illinois and Christine (Thomas) Duda of Homer Glen, Illinois; eight grandchildren: Brian (Kelly) Friebele of Manhattan, Illinois, Jill Friebele (Tom Boulware) of California, Audrey Friebele of Elwood, Illinois; Rachel (Barret) Groome and Lisa (Daniel) Morris, both of North Carolina, Matt (Katie) Duda of Lemont, Illinois, and Dan Duda of Chicago, Alexis Duda of Homer Glen; 13 great-grandchildren: Ava Friebele, Maciah Marszalek, Joseph Friebele, Trenton Richmond, Annabelle Friebele, Aiden Duda, Bryce F. Boulware, Sawyer Boulware, Charlie Duda, Leo Morris, Gray Groome, Brooklyn Morris and Brooklyn Duda.

William was preceded in death by his parents, wife Lois, and Aunt Grace (Verne) Meyer.

Per Williams’ wishes, cremation rites have been accorded.

The family will receive friends for a memorial visitation at Elwood Community Church, 101 South Chicago Street in Elwood, Illinois on Saturday, October 8, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. until time of memorial service 11:00 a.m. Pastor Mike Engle will officiate and graveside services will follow in Maple Hill Cemetery.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in William’s memory to American Alzheimer’s Association.

Family and friends are encouraged to log onto www.BaskervilleFuneral.com to sign the guest book, upload photographs or share William’s memorial page on social medial.

Cremation services and memorial arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington. (815-476-2181)