William “Bill” Hott, age 74 of Lake View, IA, passed away on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, NE. William Chester Hott was born on April 9, 1950, to parents Phillip and Adeline (Lunkenheimer) Hott in Storm Lake, IA. He grew up in Storm Lake where he attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and graduated from in 1968. Bill went on to earn his teaching degree from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake.
Bill married the love of his life, Doris Glienke, on March 13, 1971, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Storm Lake. This union was blessed with two children, Paul and Heather.
In his younger years, Bill was in several rock bands performing as a singer and guitar player. Throughout his high school and college years, he taught guitar lessons. For about 20 years, his summer job was working with his grandfather and uncle in the masonry business. He was proud to point out to his children and grandchildren some of the homes and businesses in the area that he had helped build.
Bill started his teaching career in Dow City, IA, where he taught music for two years before being hired by the Wall Lake View Auburn School District where he would then teach music for the next thirty years. His love for what he did was unmatched. Bill enjoyed seeing his students excel and eventually venture out into the world, hoping music would always remain a part of their lives in one way or another. During his time at WLVA, Bill produced numerous all-state singers. He directed many musicals, arranged choir trips to perform with the American Symphony at St. Patrick’s Cathedral as well as the Lincoln Center in New York City, Washington D.C., San Francisco, CA, and the Rosebud Indian Reservation in South Dakota. He truly loved music and teaching others about it. Bill’s family would like to express their gratitude to the students who both challenged and enhanced his musical career. All of you were instrumental in pushing/helping him achieve the goals of his professional life.
He had a love and appreciation for the outdoors and could be found hunting or fishing in his free time. He particularly enjoyed it when one of his grandchildren caught the biggest fish of the day! Over the years, he owned many golden retrievers and was excellent at training them for hunting. They were his daily companions for his morning walks in nature.
While music played a huge part in Bill’s life, nothing was more important to him than his family. He was so proud of his children and adored being called Grandpa. Bill never missed an opportunity to brag about his children and grandchildren to friends and acquaintances. He will be missed dearly by all who knew and loved him. May his memory be a blessing and may we all strive to live our lives with the same joy and passion that he did.
Bill is survived by his wife of fifty-four years, Doris Hott of Lake View, IA; son Paul (Angie) Hott of Defiance, MO; daughter Heather (George) Moore of West Chester, OH; grandchildren Sydney and Tyler Hott, Emily, Isaiah and Ava Moore; brother Ron Hott (fiancé Becky Johnson) of Storm Lake, IA; several in-laws, nieces, nephews, other extended family members and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Phillip and Adeline Hott.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to the development of a scholarship fund for aspiring musical talent. Isaiah Moore, Bill’s grandson, has set up a Go Fund Me account for the endeavor. The family would be especially pleased to help others teach and share their passion and joy of music as “Mr. Hott” did throughout his life.
Doris Hott, 715 Lake Street, Lake View, IA 51450
https://www.gofundme.com/f/bill-hott-memorial-music-scholarship-fund
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at St. Martin Catholic Church in Odebolt, IA, with Father Joe Dillinger and Deacon Butch Stone officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 28, 2025 at Farber & Otteman Funeral Home in Lake View, IA. Farber & Otteman Funeral Home of Lake View has been entrusted to care for Bill and his family.
