William "Bill" T. Modrak

William T. Modrak, age 83 of Hobart passed away December 27, 2024. He was born October 20, 1941, to Julia Fary and Walter Modrak. He married Susan Konechni on June 2, 1962, and was married for over 62 years. Bill was a graduate of Hammond Tech High School, class of 1959. He was a member of the Hammond Riverside Park/Optimist Baseball and Hammond Tech Golf Teams. At the age of 14, in 1956 Bill started working at 175th & Indianapolis Blvd, Hammond, IN McDonald’s Restaurant. Ray Kroc, the founder claimed this was the 14th McDonald’s Restaurant built. In 1970, Bill became Owner Operator of the 54th & Broadway, Merrillville, IN McDonald’s Restaurant. He built, owned & operated 9 McDonald’s locations in Merrillville, Hobart, Crown Point & Lowell, Indiana. Bill is the youngest person in the McDonald’s System with the most years of service to the McDonald’s Brand. He was a member of Gary Country Club, now known as Innsbrook Country Club. In 2007 he was presented the Hammond Tech HS Lifetime Achievement Award. He was involved with Pirates4 Kids, Trade Winds. Boys & Girls Clubs of NW Indiana, Share Foundation, Meals on Wheels, In-Pact, & Ronald McDonald House Children’s Charities. Bill loved playing golf w/ Innsbrook friends & his Hammond Tech buddies and enjoyed introducing family & friends to the mountains of Mesa, Colorado. He loved designing & building things, woodworking & construction projects. He could fix & repair anything! His hobbies included: skiing, ping pong, and winning at pool. Bill was preceded in death by his parents: Walter & Julia Modrak; brothers: Thomas & Robert Modrak. He is survived by his loving wife: Susan Modrak; daughters: Sherri Ashby Modrak; Nikki (Jeff) Templin; Jamie (Clint) Henry; grandchildren: Erica Ashby, Aubrey Ashby, Brooke Templin, Ashlynn Templin, Chase Henry, Cole Henry & Dexter Henry; brother-in-law: Tom Richards (Theresa, deceased); sister-in-law: Dorothy Duray (Chris, deceased). The visitation will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Service to follow at 1 p.m. with Father James Wozniak officiating. Burns Funeral Home and Crematory, 10101 Broadway, Crown Point. A luncheon to follow: Innsbrook Country Club, 6701 W Taft St, Merrillville, IN at 2:30 p.m. www.burnsfuneral.com. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: Pirates 4 Kids Organization www.pirates4kids.org.

William "Bill" T. Modrak

October 20, 1941 - December 27, 2024