William E. Jaquest II

William Jaquest II, age 82, of Matteson, IL, passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2025.

Born in Racine, WI, William was the son of William Jaquest and Dorothy (née Miller), both of whom preceded him in death.

He is survived by his beloved sister, Suzanne LaCava of Batavia, IL; his spouse of 28 years, Barbara Vinson; and his cherished children: Lisa Kress (James), Deborah Smart, Jennifer Piton (Kenneth), Heather Mages (Jay), Nicholas Jaquest, and Matthew Jaquest. He was a proud grandfather to 16 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, and a loving uncle to his dear nieces and nephews.

Immediately after high school, William joined the U.S. Navy and served honorably as a Corpsman in Vietnam aboard the USS Collett.

In the early years of his career, he worked for both the Chicago Police Department and the CTA Police, earning commendations for his bravery in stopping various crimes.

William found his true calling when he joined the Chicago Fire Department, where he served with distinction for over 30 years. Throughout his career, he worked in several houses, with some of his favorites being Snorkel Squad 1, the CFD Scuba/Dive/Sea Rescue Unit, and Engine 92, where he served as an Engineer.

His acts of heroism were many-though rarely documented, they lived on in the stories he shared. Above all, William was a protector, stepping into people's worst moments with courage and humility. He never considered himself a hero, often deflecting praise with stoicism, sarcasm, and self-deprecating humor. He fiercely protected those he loved and was the kind of person who would literally give you the shirt off his back. His greatest comfort came from serving others.

Some of his most joyful moments were spent biking with his children, welcoming his grandchildren into the firehouse to sit in the driver's seat of a firetruck, and caring for the many dogs he loved throughout his life.

William was also a man of faith-a child of God and a believer in Jesus Christ. He now rests peacefully in His presence.

Visitation will be held at the Carlson Holmquist Sayles Funeral Home & Crematory, 2320 Black Road, Thursday, September 25th from 10:00 AM until time of services at 12:00. Interment Abraham Lincoln Cemetery Elwood, IL. For information please call (815) 744-0022, or visit chsfuneral.com.