William “Bill” R. Haycraft
PEORIA - William “Bill” R. Haycraft, age 94, passed away at home, surrounded by his family, on Monday, March 11, 2024.
He was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, on Dec. 7, 1929, to Logan and Mamie Haycraft. He married Carol Horne Kaetzel on June 3, 1978, in Peoria, Illinois. She survives, as well as three children from his previous marriage to Jacquin Allen, William A. (and Cynthia) and his granddaughters, Barbara and Sarah of Pearland, TX, Leslie (and Damon) Littlefield of Wilmington, NC, and Mary Helen Salisbury, also of Wilmington; and Carol’s son from a previous marriage, Mark P. Kaetzel (and June) of Ladson, SC. Also surviving are his brother, James Dudley Haycraft (and Melanie) of Plainfield, IN; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. His parents preceded him in death, as well as two other siblings: brother, Logan, and sister, Mildred Haycraft Liichow; and Carol’s daughter, Renee Kaetzel.
After one year at the University of Kentucky, in 1949, he entered Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University) on a four-year Naval ROTC scholarship, graduating in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and a commission as Ensign, USN, eventually achieving the rank of lieutenant in eight years of active and reserve duty.
While at Auburn, he was elected member of Tau Beta Phi, Phi Kappa Phi and Chi Epsilon honor societies and was affiliated with Alpha Tau Omega social fraternity.
Joining Caterpillar, Inc. in 1956, he held a variety of positions in International Marketing, beginning in Peoria, IL, followed by posts in Winnipeg and Montreal, Canada, Lima, Peru, and Geneva, Switzerland, ending his 35-year career as region manager of Canada and the central U.S. in Peoria corporate headquarters.
Upon retiring in 1992, he took up writing, authoring two books: “Yellow Steel: The Story of the Earthmoving Equipment Industry” (University of Illinois Press 2000) and “Unraveling Vietnam: How American Arms and Diplomacy Failed in Southeast Asia” (McFarland 2005).
He loved baseball, especially his Chicago Cubs, although was seldom rewarded for his loyalty.
Although he had many interests, nothing was more precious to him than spending time with his beloved wife, Carol.
“It is something that we lived and loved - let us so live that our remaining friends repeat this line over us: If there’s another world he lives in bliss, If there be none, he made the most of this.” Robert Burns
Bill Haycraft’s remains will be placed in the Wall of Endearment in Springdale Cemetery Mausoleum in Peoria, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Faith Community Methodist Church, P.O. Box 10999, Wilmington, NC 28404; or Lower Cape Fear Life Care, 1414 Physicians Dr., Wilmington, NC 28401-7335.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary. com.