'Living legend' Tiknis honored in Bartlett

Bartlett's Bill Tiknis was recently honored for his 80th birthday and for his 50-plus years of community service to the village. Officials from several village, community and Hanover Township groups paid tribute to him at a recent reception. The following is an edited overview of his life, authored by the Bartlett Historical Society when Tiknis was honored as a Bartlett Living Legend.

Bill Tiknis was born Nov. 11, 1929, in Chicago to William and Sophie. Kelly High School was where "Tik" held his first elected office as senior class president and graduated in 1948. On July 9, 1948, Bill married Charlotte Lange. The family soon grew with children Clay, Mark, and Cory.

In 1956, the family moved to Bartlett by accident, as Bill says. What a great accident for the residents of Bartlett, who today enjoy the many amenities that Tik has achieved for the community through countless organizations and political offices he has held.

Shortly after moving to town, Bill became a Bartlett Volunteer fireman, serving for 14 years. He is still active today in the Bartlett Volunteer Fire Department corporation, having served as president, secretary and house manager. He's also been a Trustee and Commissioner for the Bartlett Fire Protection District.

In 1963, Bill started his political career, being elected village trustee. He served 10 years until being elected village president. While in these offices, he helped create the Bartlett Park District, obtain the Apple Orchard Park property and plan the original wastewater treatment plant. He was also involved with the creation of the Northwest Suburban Mass Transit District and establishing the district office in Bartlett.

Bill has said one of his greatest accomplishments was the acquisition of Bartlett Hills by the village after a developer had plans to build homes that would have put 5,000 people on that site. He has also served as chairman of the Bartlett Hills Golf Course Commission.

In 1981, Tik was elected Hanover Township supervisor and served 16 years. While in that office, he was instrumental in building the current township hall on Route 59.

In 1991, Bill co-chaired the Bartlett Centennial Commission, the highlight being the building of the gazebo in Bartlett Park. Also that year, he was named one of Bartlett's Living Legends.

He was also founder and first president of the Bartlett Chamber of Commerce.

Bill has been a member of the Bartlett Men's Golf League since 1957 and part of many other organizations like Rotary and Kiwanis.

He has truly influenced and changed Bartlett for all of us to enjoy and be proud of.