Capt. Billy Lewis Hodge

Capt. Billy Lewis Hodge ( PA) age 85 of Brookport, IL. passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family at 11:50 P.M. on October 5, 2016.

Bill was born on January 12, 1931 to George Hodge and Grace Yackle Hodge in Shawneetown, IL. Bill was a veteran of the U. S. Navy and held his Master's License as a Captain on the River. Bill was married to Kathryn Jo Wooldridge on January 1, of 1955. Bill worked 62 years on the river working his way up from a deckhand to Captain, starting in 1952 on the paddle wheeler Haddie R. for Louis Igert Barge Line, working under his father George who was piloting. Bill retired from Ingram Barge Line in 1994 as a Captain. He continued to work as a trip Captain and Pilot from 1994 through 2014 when he finally gave up life on the river to spend more time with his family. Bill's life was the river spending 62 years pushing barges up most every inland water way up and down the Mississippi, Ohio and Missouri rivers. he enjoyed playing Golf, watching his St. Louis Cardinals, and talking about Days of Our Lives with his wife and daughter-n-law Anna. He loved to have his family around and his two dogs, Pudge and Tony. Bill was a member of the Brookport Church of Christ. He leaves behind his loving wife of 61 years Kathryn Wooldridge Hodge, five children, Deborah Hodge Klankey of Brookport, IL., Billy Wayne Hodge ( Anna) of Calvert City, KY, Chesley Craig Hodge ( Kim) of Paducah, KY., Kathy Hodge Jones (DeWayne) of Brookport, IL. and Richard Taft Hodge of Calvert City, Ky. Thirteen grandchildren, two step grandchildren, Fifteen great grandchildren. Two brothers, Jackie Hodge ( Debbie) and Larry Roy Hodge( Ann) both of Brookport, and his Chihuahua . He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Grace Yackle Hodge, one grandchild Andrew McManus and a great grandchild Brett Bates, Seven brothers and sisters, twins Peggy and Paul Hodge, Jeanetta Hodge Proctor, LeRoy Hodge, Robert ( Bob) Hodge, Richard Hodge and Linda Hodge Johnson, and one Special little Chihuahau Pudge.

Bill is to be cremated. There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial Service for Capt. Billy L. Hodge, November 5th , at the North Crockett St. Church of Christ, at 508 North Crockett St. Brookport, IL., W.D. Hensley will officiate. Service is from 11:00 A.M. till 12 noon for friends and family. A catered meal for all members of the family will be served at the church at 12:30.