Rev. William James (Bill) Hodge, 97, passed away February 25, 2018 of pneumonia with his wife of 67 years and his daughters by his side. He was the youngest (a twin) of four sons, born to Dr. Russell Lowe Hodge and Margaret Campbell Hodge on September 3, 1920 in Kansas City, Missouri. Bill graduated from Kansas City High School, attended Central Methodist University, and graduated from Kansas University with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. While at KU he earned his pilots license and was a member of Phi Kappa Psi. He enlisted in the US Marine Corp and attended the Platoon Leaders Class in San Diego, CA where he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant. After graduation from college he was called to active duty and was assigned to the fourth division, 23rd Regiment where he served the duration of the war. Bill saw action in four campaigns in the Pacific: Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tinian (receiving the Bronze Star & Presidential Unit Citation Fourth Marine Division), and Iwo Jima advancing through the ranks to Captain. On Iwo Jima, he volunteered to take over command of A company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Regiment after it had sustained heavy casualties. In that capacity he received a personal Citation for Valor under bitter fighting and heavy fire. He was promoted to the rank of Major prior to leaving the service.
Bill entered SMU Perkins School of Theology in Dallas graduating in June, 1950, as an ordained Methodist Minister serving for 36 years. After retirement from the Methodist Church he served as Minister to the Houston Brethren Church in the Heights for almost 20 years. Retiring for the second time at age 85, after 56 years in the ministry.
Preceded in death by his parents and his brothers and their spouses: Campbell Hodge (Harriet), Russell Hodge, Jr. (Margaret), and twin brother, Dr. Robert H. Hodge (Anna Mae). He is survived by his wife, Margaret Ann Holsworth Hodge, three daughters: Phyllis Ann Stepp Warriner (Ross), Virginia Sue Botts (Gerald), and Margaret Lynn Kelly (James Tynan), five grandchildren: Meredith Rose (Marc), Thomas Botts, Katherine Botts, Margaret Kelly, and Bill Kelly, and three great-grandchildren: Jackson, Twins, Eloise and George Rose.
A Memorial Service celebrating Bill's life will be held on Friday, March 2nd at 2:00pm in Sanctuary of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77027 with reception and visitation to follow. In lieu of flowers please consider memorials to: Including Kids Center for Autism, includingkids.org; or St. Luke's United Methodist Church, PO Box 22013, Houston, TX 77227.
