Birth date: Jun 25, 1959 Death date: Feb 29, 2020
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William "Bill" Scott Kozacek, age 60, a resident of Cleveland, was Born June 25, 1959 to Edward and Audrey (Logan) Kozacek in Chicago, IL, Bill grew up in Romeoville, IL and graduated from Romeoville High School in 1977. He was baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lockport, IL and confirmed at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Romeoville, IL. He joined ROTC during high school and enlisted in the US Navy after graduation. Following his service as an Intelligence Specialist (IS2) in the Navy, Bill earned an associate degree from Joliet Junior College, and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Illinois. After college, he worked for a short time at the Illinois Revenue Department in Rockford, IL, and spent a long and fulfilling career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Kentucky and Virginia. Among his many accomplishments, he was honored with the Public Safety Leadership Award in 2018 by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. During his tenure at the FBI, Bill amassed considerable expertise as an FBI Counterterrorism Division Subject Matter Expert (SME), and overseer of training to personnel, the FBI National Academy, and other government agencies, accredited by the University of Virginia (Graduate Certificate in Adult Learning and Development). His training programs encompassed topics on ballistic research, ammunition, body armor, and firearms. Bill’s professional affiliations included membership in the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, International Association of Chiefs of Police - Firearms Committee, and Naval Intelligence Professionals. He retired as the Unit Chief (Supervisory Special Agent), Training Division. In 2015, Bill married the great love of his life, his wife Bess, who survives, after meeting in 2014. They attended church at The Crossing Church of God in Chattanooga. Bill is preceded in death by his father Edward, and his brother Thomas. He is survived by his mother Audrey, brothers Richard (Colleen), and Mark Kozacek, his beloved daughters Amber and Alyssa Kozacek, stepdaughter Lauren (Jay) Harding, stepsons Ben and Brett Howard, niece Samantha Kozacek, nephew Alex Kozacek, and grandchildren Eva, Lilly, and Asher Harding. Bill endeared himself to Bess’s family and friends by loving her so well, and he fit immediately into their tight-knit group. Her grown children joke that Bill knew what Bess needed even before she did, anticipating her every need. The family is thankful for the time they shared with Bill, lamenting only that it wasn’t for much longer. Bill’s daughters Alyssa and Amber were the joys of his life, and he could not have been prouder of the women they have become. He was planning to walk Amber down the aisle at her wedding this fall, and the two had recently chosen the music for the father-daughter dance. While he will surely be there in spirit, his presence will be missed at this and all future milestones, and the void he leaves will be felt always by his mother, wife, and family. For this reason, we are so very thankful for the hope of heaven. The Celebration of Life Service will be conducted on Friday, March 6, 2020 at 12:00 P. M. at The Crossing Church, 7501 Standifer Gap Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421, with Chaplain Bonnie Holcombe Fontana officiating. Graveside Services and Interment will follow in the Chattanooga National Cemetery, 1200 Bailey Avenue, Chattanooga Tn. at 1:30 P. M. Military Honors will be given. The family request that in lieu of flowers, Memorials be made to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society online at https://donate.nmcrs.org> or call 800-654-8364. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 12:00 Friday at The Crossing Church. The Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee Chapel has charge of the arrangements. You may share your condolences and your memories with the Kozacek family at www.jimrushfuneralhomes.com.Read Obituary
My sincere condolences to the Kozacek family. I have worked with Bill for many years on the Firearms Committee of the International Chiefs of Police and, to say he was the consummate professional is a gross understatement. More importantly, he was my good friend and confidant. I share your loss.
Ed Connor
Chief of Police (Retired)
My condolences to the Kozacek Family. I enjoyed working with Bill on the IACP Firearms Committee for several years. He served well and was a good man.
Pete Gagliardi, ATF retired.
My deepest condolences to the Kozacek family. I was shocked to hear of Bill's passing. I worked with Bill on the range for several years and had a great relationship. He was always very kind and will be missed.
Joe Realmuto
My sincere condolences to Bill's family. I was fortunate enough to be part of Bill's FBI Academy class 91-7. I always remember he already seemed like a seasoned Agent when we started the academy and was a great example for the rest of us. He was an exemplary FBI Agent and a wonderful human being. We will miss you Bill. Rest in peace my friend.
Larry Futa
I was very saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. My condolences to his family. Bill and I have been friends and colleagues for many years. After retiring from the FBI, Bill would regularly call me just to check to see how I was doing. That’s just how great of a guy Bill was. I will miss our conversations and friendship. He will be greatly missed.
My deepest sympathies to Bill’s family, and I am deeply saddened by his loss. I knew Bill for more than 20 years - he was a colleague, mentor, and most importantly a friend. He was witty, smart, and kind and I will always treasure our friendship. He always looked out for me, and worked hard to support Agents and the Bureau. His life was so enriched by having Bess as his wife and partner. My wife and I visited Bill and Bess shortly after I retired, and it was a joy to see their happiness together. He was a loving father and his daughters meant the world to him, as did his wife’s children.He will be deeply missed, but we take comfort in knowing that we will meet again in the kingdom of our lord and savior.
Dear Mrs. K, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Bill. I have so many memories of all of us growing up together. I know he loved his family a lot because of the stories you have shared. It doesn't surprise me that he loved so many with his whole heart because of living by your example. May he rest in heaven with God, and may God bring you and your family comfort and understanding. Love, Nanette
Condolences to Auntie Audrey and the rest of the Kozacek family. I have fond memories of Bill and the rest of the family from the birthday parties and other gatherings at the house in Romeoville. May memories provide comfort at this time.
Paul Triezenberg
During the time I worked with Bill at the London RA, I was impressed with his sense of humor and wit, his willingness to share in the workload, his many accomplishments as a Special Agent, and his ability to make us laugh (his antics and voice impersonations were priceless).
It was great seeing Bill and Bess a couple of years ago at Pigeon Forge. Bill was a good man and he will be missed.
Carolyn and I extend our deepest condolences to Bess, Alyssa, Amber and all of the family.
With sadness and love,
Rod and Carolyn Kincaid
