William E. (Bill) Hackler III, 84, of Mt. Carmel, IL passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2026 at Wabash General Hospital with his loving family by his side.
He was born on January 16, 1942, in Princeton, Indiana. He was the son of William Earl Hackler, Jr. and Hazel Louise (Smith) Hackler. He married Joan Kathryn Nix on March 14, 1965, in Owensboro, Kentucky and they celebrated 61 years of marriage in March.
Bill graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1960, and graduated from Murray State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He was the president at Wabash Savings & Loan for 36 years and retired in 2023. He also owned and operated Hackler’s Vogue until it closed in 1987.
He was a supporter of Mt. Carmel sports, serving as Sports Information Director at Wabash Valley College, member of the MCHS Sports Boosters, WVC Sports Boosters, and was an announcer for Mt. Carmel Golden Aces football for 40 years. He was known for his slogan “Fire Up Aces Fans! Fire Up!,” and will be inducted into the MCHS Sports Hall of Fame this year for announcing.
Bill was a member of the Elks #715, was active in Wabash County Seniors, was a member of Mt. Carmel Rotary Club holding positions as past president and assistant governor, and was the endowment fund district chair, and past president of the WVC Foundation.
He was known for spending time with his family, traveling, coaching and watching his favorite sports which included the Mt. Carmel Golden Aces, WVC Warriors and the St. Louis Cardinals. Bill was a man of Christian faith and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and First Christian Church. He attended EUM before moving to Hollybrook. Bill was known for his outgoing personality and contagious smile, and he never met a stranger.
He is survived by his children, Kim (Mike) Reilly of Mt. Carmel, and Brian (Stacey) Hackler of Indianapolis, Ind.; his grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Zach) Parkhurst, Kristyn (Luke) Johnson, Morgan (Justin) Tusing, and Will Hackler; and his great-grandchildren, Josie, Elsie, Cove, and Liam Parkhurst, and James and Arlo Johnson.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Hazel.
Visitation will be held on Friday, October 23, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in the chapel of Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.
Burial will follow the service at Highland Memorial Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in memory of Bill can be made to the WVC Foundation, the MCHS Sports Boosters, or the Mt. Carmel Rotary Club. Envelopes will be available at Short-Cunningham Funeral Home.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com.
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve the Hackler family.
