Hoogestraat, William H. "Bill" age 83, of Anoka, peacefully joined his parents and twelve brothers and sisters in heaven on Sunday, February 26, 2017, one day after sharing his 61st wedding anniversary with his best friend and partner through life, Ardy. On his last day, Bill was surrounded by family, friends, and others who loved him, including Spike, Maddie, and Gracie, the three family dogs who brought such joy to his life over the last several years. Bill, who was known as "Red" for much of his young life due to the distinctive color of his hair, was born September 11, 1933 on the family farm in Milbank, SD. As he was not overly fond of farm life, at the age of 14 he hitchhiked to Sheridan, WY to live with his older brother Delmar. Three years later in 1950, at the age of 17, he joined the Army, unbeknownst to his mother. Bill served with distinction in the 11th Airborne as a paratrooper and then in the 2nd Infantry Division ("Indianhead") as a rifleman and later combat medic, earning a number of awards and commendations. After the war, Bill lived and worked in Minneapolis at Northern Pump/Ordnance as a Master Machinist. It was at Northern Pump where he met Ardy, a lovely young secretary. She'd heard there was a tall redhead working in the shop that fancied her, so she walked through the shop to the commissary several times a day to catch his eye, until they eventually started dating. They were married in 1956. Their daughter Jeane was born in 1957 and daughter Joann followed in 1960. In April of 1963, Bill joined the Anoka Police Department, where he served as a patrolman until joining the Anoka County Sheriff's Dept. in June 1965; he was promoted to Detective in 1969. When the Major Crimes Investigation Unit (now Criminal Investigation Unit) was formed in 1973, Bill assumed joint command. In 1976 he graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, VA. Bill had risen in the ranks to Chief Deputy by the time of his retirement in 1995. Bill was a Past Master of Anoka Lodge #30, and an almost 60-year member of the Zuhrah Shrine Scottish Rite. He was also a 50-year member of American Legion Post #102, and the VFW. Together Bill and Ardy enjoyed traveling, taking several trips to Germany, Ostfriesland (the Northern region of Germany), Wyoming, and Canada. Bill was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing, and for more than a decade Bill and Ardy owned a charter boat fishing company, based out of the Knife River Marina on Lake Superior. After they sold their boat, the Serenity, they bought a condo on Lake Mille Lacs and enjoyed fishing and ice fishing with family and friends there for a number of years. As life progressed, things slowed down a bit, and they stayed close to home. Bill was a master storyteller with a keen sense of humor and a larger-than-life presence, and not just because of his snores. He had high standards, but a generous heart, and more than anything he treasured his family and loved having everyone over for dinners. Not surprisingly, Bill's favorite holiday was Christmas, and throughout the years Bill and Ardy opened their home during the holidays to anyone who needed a place to celebrate. Those lucky enough to have had him in their lives have been blessed. Bill is survived by his wife, Ardy; daughters Jeane Hoogestraat-Holland and Joann Hoogestraat; granddaughter, Alyssa (Kevin) Rice; grandson, Cody (Kaylie Bergman) Sutton; great-grandson Graham Rice; son-in-law, David Holland; "adopted" daughter Laura (Steve) Stewart; sister-in-law, Liann Voliva; nieces and nephews; and many friends. Memorial service Tuesday, March 7, 2017 at 11:00 am at Zion Lutheran Church, 1601 4th Ave. S., Anoka. Visitation one hour prior to service at the church only. Private interment at Forest Hill Cemetery in Anoka. Memorials preferred to the Anoka American Legion Post #102, Anoka County Humane Society, or to a veteran's charity of donor's choice. Thurston-Lindberg Funeral Home Anoka 763-421-0220 thurston-lindberg.com