William "Billy" Hooks

METROPOLIS, Ill. - William "Billy" Hooks, 66, of Metropolis, passed away at 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at his residence surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, at Faith Lutheran Church with Donald Strong officiating. Burial will follow at Antioch Cemetery in Rosebud.

Billy was a faithful member of Faith Lutheran Church and attended Holland House, or as Billy referred to it, "Boy/Girl." He was Elvis' No. 1 fan and loved to dance. He enjoyed coloring and puzzles, fishing, shopping, and bowling and competed on the Western Kentucky Special Olympics bowling team. He dreamed of visiting Hawaii and Hong Kong and was able to travel with his sister to Hawaii and enjoyed visiting his version of "Hong Kong." What Billy "loved much" though, was Jesus, his church, and his family. He was a wonderful son, brother and uncle and is going to be missed by many.

Billy is survived by his siblings, Terry Hooks (TJ) of Metropolis, Janet Jeffords of Marion, Illinois, and Sheila Strong and husband Jack of Metropolis; aunt, Wanda Giller of Kevil, Kentucky; uncle, Larry Boren of Clarksville, Tennessee; several other aunts; several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn Lamarr and Mattie Lou (Boren) Hooks; sister, Sharon Early; brothers, Robin Hooks, Glen Hooks, and Danny Hooks; niece, Hailey Madison Hooks; and nephew, Jackson Strong.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at the church.

Memorials may be made in Billy's name to Holland House 1132 Country Club Road, Metropolis, IL 62960; Special Olympics Kentucky 105 Lakeview Court, Frankfort, KY, 40601; or Down Syndrome Association of Western Kentucky, PO Box 7366, Paducah, KY 42002.

Pallbearers will be Greg Strong, Bryce Strong, Cody Strong, Brock Frazier, Josh Baker and Travis Baker.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Aikins-Farmer-Loftus-McManus Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com.