William J. "Bill" Hood

William Joseph "Bill" Hood II was born March 16, 1913, in Fort Dodge, the fifth of six children of William Joseph "Willie" and Charlotte Teresa (Ford) Hood. He spent his early childhood years in Fort Dodge until his family moved to Bancroft where he graduated from St. John's High School in 1931. Bill married Arlene Margaret Haynes on January 6, 1939. They owned and operated Hoods Grocery Store their entire married life. Bill opened his store on November 18, 1937. Despite a tragedy of a fire in 1955 which caused his building to be destroyed, he re-built even bigger and better and it was a staple of Kossuth County business for 62 years, with several expansions along the way. Bill was presented numerous awards as a grocer, including a prestigious 50 year award from Super Valu. Bill's family was the most important thing in his life. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was an avid Brooklyn Dodgers fan and in later years a Chicago Cubs fan. He was a member of St. Cecelia Catholic Church where he served as a trustee and was a leader in the fundraising to build the present St. Cecelia's Church. He was on the first drive in...[more]

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e 1940s to build a new hospital for Algona, and also a member of the Knights of Columbus. Bill entered the Good Samaritan Center, Algona in August, 2001. He died there Wednesday, March 3, 2004, at the age of 90. Bill is survived by one son, John Hood, Algona; five grandchildren, Cheryl Hood Langel and her husband Joseph, Lakeville, MN, John Hood II, Algona, Lisette Hood, Algona, Krista Richardson and her husband John, Minneapolis, MN, and William Joseph "B.J." Hood III, Shakopee, MN; seven great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Abigail Langel, both of Lakeville, MN, Katy and Samantha Hood and Nicole Bosworth, all of Algona, and Sadie and Grace Richardson, Minneapolis, MN; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Arlene, on January 20, 2004; and five brothers and sisters, Eula Saunders, Hubert Hood, Hayden Hood, Charlotte McGuire, and Inez Hood.