William J Hank

July 16, 1932- May 7, 2026

William “Bill” Hank of Wheaton, Illinois. The retired President and Chairman of the Board of Commercial National Bank of Berwyn died peacefully on Thursday, May 7, 2026.

Bill was born in 1932 to Bernard J Hank, Sr. and Viola Dobbertin Hank in Chicago, Illinois. Growing up in the Galewood neighborhood of Chicago, Bill attended St. Giles Elementary School and Fenwick High School. At Fenwick he was an award winning debater. In 1954 Bill graduated from the University of Notre Dame with highest honors and he also received his MBA from Northwestern University.

In 1956, he married Joan Mae Los. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on April 14, 2026. Their marriage was a lifelong partnership built on respect, love and family.

As an Air Force veteran, Bill completed 3 years of active duty from 1954 to 1957 followed by five years in the reserves. Bill served as a Supply and Intelligence Officer in Korean combat zones. He was honorably discharged as an Air Force Captain.

After Bill’s military service he became Chair of the Conlon Moore Corporation and Vice Chairman of Montgomery Elevator in Moline Illinois. For 26 years, Bill was President and Chairman of Commercial National Bank of Berwyn. At the age of 29, he was the youngest bank President in the United States. Bill also was on the Board of Directors of Citizens Bank of Flint and First National Bank of Sterling and Rock Falls.

Bill strongly believed in the values of Catholic education. He passionately supported Notre Dame and its mission. Today that legacy lives on in numerous endowed gifts that support professorships and student scholarships. For twenty-five years he was the Chair of the Business Advisory Council at ND. Bill never sought public recognition for his efforts, preferring to remain behind the scenes.

Bill and Joan also supported the mission of Loyola University, Joan’s alma mater. Bill served on Loyola’s Board of Trustees for many years. Their work continues today in the Hank Center for Catholic Intellectual Heritage.

Bill also generously supported many other causes including serving on the Board of Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital and Bethlehem Woods Village. While this list does not identify all the causes he supported, his altruism will be his legacy.

Mr. Hank loved and is survived by his widow and their five children John Hank (Caryn), Cynthia Hank Stark (Paul), Celeste Wright (Cliff), Allen Hank (Debbie), and Steven Hank (Stefanie). He is also survived by 15 loving grandchildren. Travis Hank, Carling Hank, Michael Stark, Lauren Stark Hogan (Sean), Matthew Stark (Tara), Nicole Stark, Alecia Thron (Derrick), Jessica Ballenger (Taylor), Thomas Wright, Justin Wright, Brandon Hank, Jordan Hank, Natalia Hank-Abbott (Kyle), Michelle Hank and Sydney Hank. Bill was also a great grandfather to eight children.

He is also survived by his devoted siblings Marie McKellar (Arch), Jeanne Dale (William) and sister-in-law Joan Hank (Richard, deceased).

May Bill Hank’s legacy of kindness and generosity continue to live in the hearts of everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

Catholic Services will be held Friday, June 5th at 2:30pm at St. Daniel the Prophet Catholic Church at 101 W. Loop Road, Wheaton, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the University of Notre Dame, 405 Main Building, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556. Attention: Lou Nanni, Vice President for University Relations.