Phantom Regiment is saddened by the death of William (Bill) C. Hyde, who died at his home Tuesday in Roscoe, Ill. He was 79.
Bill was a volunteer bus driver from the early 1980s into the ’90s. He got involved with Phantom Regiment when two of his children, Bill and Carrie, joined Phantom Regiment Cadets. Both would march through the decade.
In addition to his time as a bus driver, he was a corps photographer for many years. His volunteerism extended well past the time his children aged out of the corps. Bill was honored by the corps for meritorious service in 1989.
Outside of drum corps, Bill was a math and journalism teacher for 40 years at Harlem High School in Machesney Park, just outside of Rockford. He was an adviser to the school newspaper, was an announcer at football games and was a timekeeper for Harlem basketball games for 42 years. On top of all that, he was with the North Park Fire Department for 40 years, retiring as deputy chief.
Bill was a big fan of Northern Illinois football and the Huskie Marching Band. He, his son and grandson all marched in the band.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Patricia (Keigley) Hyde, who was also a Phantom Regiment volunteer for many years; daughters, Carrie (Jon) Monkemeyer and Susan Todebush; sons, William A. (Ingrid) Hyde and James (Kathy) Hyde; and 13 grandchildren.
Visitation will be 1-3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17 at Honquest Family Funeral Home, Mulford Chapel, 4311 N. Mulford Road, Loves Park. Memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, at Roscoe United Methodist Church, 10816 Main St., Roscoe. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the NIU Huskie Marching Band through the NIU Foundation.
