William Dierks "Bill" Hodes

          On Sunday, January 1, 2023, The Feast of the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, William Dierks (Bill) Hodes, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, joined the Communion of Saints, at the age of 88. 

          Services will be held at Visitation Catholic Church, 5141 Main, Kansas City, Missouri on Bill’s Baptismal Day, Friday, January 6, 2023. The visitation will begin at 11:30 am, with a rosary at 12:30 pm, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 pm.

          Bill was born on December 29, 1934 in Kansas City, Missouri to Herman and Karose (Dierks) Hodes. He graduated from Visitation Grade School, Rockhurst High School and St. Benedicts College, where he excelled on the football field. On July 14,1956, Bill married his great love, Ruth (Ann) Madden. They raised 7 sons, Jeff, Nick, Joe, Chris, Ted, Vince, and Billy and 4 daughters, Lori, Lindy, Jan, and Anne Marie.

          Bill spent his career serving the Professional Plumbing Contractors of America through his family business, H.J. Hodes & Co, until his retirement in 1993. He was the consummate salesman, seeking solutions for his customers, many of whom became his lifelong friends. Bill ran his business with passion, integrity, and generosity. 

          Bill enjoyed playing racquetball, golf, and taking walks around Loose Park. For the majority of his life, he was an active member of Visitation Parish, enjoying a close friendship with Msgr. Arthur Tighe. Bill was a confident preacher of the Gospel, with his favorite truisms being: “The Kingdom is Within You”, “Have an Attitude of Gratitude”, “Straight Ahead”, “Life is Not a Problem to Be Solved but A Mystery to Be Lived”, and “Say it: I Forgive You!”

          Bill’s greatest joy was his family. He is lovingly remembered and survived by his wife, Ann, of 67 years, his sisters, Karosie Ismert, Betty Ismert, and Martha Hodes, his brother, Steve (Susie) Hodes, and brothers-in-law, Jerry Donohue and Pat McCowen. He leaves a legacy of love in the lives of his 11 children, 55 grandchildren, and 50 great-grandchildren:

Lori and Van Tillmon: Andrea and Dan Anderson (Maddie and Caleb), David Tillmon and Jenny Fahey (Logan, Ethan, Abby, and Zora), Katie and Mike Newton (Evie), Megan and Troy Hensley (Parker, Laura, and Wyatt) Martha Tillmon, Billy Tillmon and Angela Fenani.

Jeff and MaryBeth Hodes: Jessica and Chris Underwood (Betsy, Topher, Mac, Simon, Ralph, and Dierks), Emily and Brandon Severino (Lyla, Giuliana, Rocco, and Lottie), Ben and Maeve Hodes (Rogan, Gussie, Fran, and Kevin), Jack and Isa Hodes (Nico and baby due 2/23), Rosie and Jack Evans (Mary Mo and baby due 6/23).

Mike and Lindy Greenhalgh: Tighe and Erin Greenhalgh (Nate, Sam, Tess, and Lou), Ruthie and Nick Dellasega (baby due 3/23), Johnny Greenhalgh, Mary and Matt Rochefort (Josie, Declan, Isabelle, and Aiden), Patrick and Anna Greenhalgh (Leo and Halle), Kate Greenhalgh, Ellie and Peter White (baby due 7/23).

Jan and Kevin O’Rourke: Hannah Enenbach, Jake Enenbach.

Nick and Joni Hodes: Kali and Michael McGee, Ana Hodes and Robert Garza, Caroline Hodes.

Anne Marie Hodes: Jimmy and Carly Koppen (Gwen and Scott), Maria and Brendan McNeal (Nora Joy), Mimi and Alec Bachman (Teddy and Frankie), Lily Koppen.

Joe and Ann Hodes: Henry and Emily Hodes (Peter and Tess), Sean Hodes, Joseph and Mary Hodes (Fitz and baby due 3/23), Grace and Victoria Kenner, Jack Hodes, Cecilia Hodes.

Chris and Laura Hodes: Madden and Lane Scarborough (baby due 1/23), Emerson Hodes, August and Mary Shannon Hodes, Liam Hodes, Hans Hodes.

Ted and Heather Hodes: Will Hodes, Noah Hodes, Luke Hodes, Annabelle Hodes, Romey Hodes.

Vince and Amy Hodes: Beau Hodes, Tyler Hodes, Vinny Hodes.

Billy and Mara Hodes: Billy Hodes, Maggie Hodes, Matthew Hodes, Lucy Hodes, Francie Hodes, Danny Hodes, Charlie Hodes, Dory Hodes.

          Bill was proceeded in death by his parents: Herman and Karose Hodes; Siblings:, Louie Growney, Bob Hodes, Margie Donohue, Genie McCowen; and granddaughter: Angelica Hodes.

          In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Herman J. Hodes Scholarship at Conception Seminary College, Box 502, Conception, MO 64433.

          To view some photos and videos of Bill and his family, please visit the following link: https://nanaandpapahodes.com/