William J. "Bill" Kane

William John "Bill" Kane peacefully entered the heavenly world with his Lord on Monday, December 15, 2025 while in the care of Meadowbrook of Bolingbrook. Bill will be remembered as a kind-hearted, gentle, intelligent man who had great love for his family. His heart was as big as his stomach, and that is really saying something. He and his family were among the first big boom to move to Orland Park in 1958. He has been an Orland Park native ever since. Bill enjoyed the Chicago Bears football, nurturing his grandkids, spending time in nature, dogs, birdwatching, gardening, eating great food, traveling scenic America, and telling his stories with anyone who would listen (You knew you were really in for an earful when he'd start talking out the side of his mouth).

Bill was born on November 17, 1941; the first son to William E. and Ethel G. Kane in Little Company of Mary Hospital in Evergreen Park, IL. They raised their Irish Catholic family of six kids on the Southside of Chicago and later in Orland Park, IL. He was a graduate of Mendel High School. After spending his childhood watching the skies as part of the U.S. Ground Observer Corps, Bill joined the Air Force on December 5, 1963, where he served as a Nuclear Weapons Specialist stationed on Okinawa. Upon returning home in December of 1969, his sister and his future wife’s neighbor compared notes and conspired to introduce this perfect pair. Falling in love fast, Bill married Jean one year later on May 9, 1970.

Bill worked as a chemist at Clark Oil Refinery in Blue Island for over thirty years and later at Caleb Brett until his retirement in 2004. He took pride in raising both his family and his garden. During summer vacations, he packed everyone into a 1972 Ford pickup camper and drove his family on vacations across America, visiting most of the 48 contiguous states, and many of the Canadian provinces.

A lifelong tinkerer and devoted user of duct tape, Bill stubbornly kept the same electric dryer from their early married days running for 55 years, right up until he fell ill this past year. So went William, so went the lint trap.

Bill is survived by his wife of 55 years, Jean, and children Suzanne Kane, William M. (Karlee) Kane and Matthew Kane. He is also survived by brothers John (Arlene), and Joe (Vicky) and sister Kate. Bill was the proud grandfather to Sierra, Kailana, Nathan, Ian, Everett, Liam, Finnegan and Owen. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William E. and Ethel Kane, sister Joan Kane and brother Paul Kane.

Donations may be made to the National Audubon Society, ATTN: Donations, 225 Varick St., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10014.  CLICK HERE to donate online.

Visitation Sunday, December 21, 2025 from 1-5 p.m. with a Funeral Service to follow at 5:00 p.m. at Colonial Chapel, 15525 S. 73rd Ave. (155th/Wheeler Dr. & Harlem) Orland Park, IL.

Express your thoughts and condolences at colonialchapel.com 708-532-5400