Bill Honeycutt has been involved with the sport of wrestling since he was a freshman at Morton East High School. He wrestled for four years in high school and continued to play football while attending Monmouth College. An injury during his freshman football season at Monmouth ended his days as a wrestler at the collegiate level, however, but it allowed Bill to begin a memorable career as an official. After graduating from Monmouth in 1974, he became assistant wrestling coach at Morton East. Two years later, he became head wrestling coach at St. Viator High School. In 1978, after leaving his career in coaching and teaching, his desire to stay involved in the sport of wrestling resulted in an intensified commitment to officiating. 

Bill has officiated for IHSA, IESA and NCAA Division III events. From 1992-2023, his officiating includes a combination of 27 Individual and Dual Team IHSA State Tournaments, along with 13 IESA State Tournaments. He served on the IESA Advisory Committee from 2005-2008 and was appointed the Head Official for the IESA State Wrestling Series. He has also served as Coordinator of Officials and refereed several IWCOA Frosh/Soph. State Tournaments. Bill was privileged to be on the whistle for the 2022 IHSA Inaugural Girls First State Tournament. 

Bill was inducted into the IWCOA Hall of Fame in 2003. Other honors include the 2005-2006 South Suburban Coaches Association Official of the Year; official at four Illinois-Indiana All-Star dual meets; 2007 National Federation High School Association Official of the Year for Illinois; Grand Marshall for the 2010 IESA State Tournament; and 2012 Official of the Year by the IWCOA. In 2008, Bill was appointed and continues to serve as an IHSA Clinician and Rules Interpreter for the sport. He also served on the IHSA Officials’ Advisory Committee from 2009-2012. 

Bill served as the Coordinator of Officials at the 2014 IHSA Wrestling Dual Team State Final Tournament and was also honored in 2014 as a Grand Marshall for the IHSA Individual State Tournament. In 2018, Bill was honored by the IWCOA with The Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2023, Bill served as Assistant Coordinator at the IHSA Wrestling Boys Individual State Tournament and Coordinator of Officials at the IHSA Girls Wrestling Individual State Tournament and the IHSA Wrestling Boys Dual Team State Tournament. 

He continues to be involved in projects including the recruitment of new officials, IHSA videos and all forms of continuing education for the sport. He has also worked with the NFHS Association on projects including video and new rule proposals. 

Bill continues as an active, on-the-mat high-level official. He just completed 51 years of officiating and has refereed over 50,000 matches in his career, including some great classic IHSA State Finals championship matches. 

Bill lives in Woodridge with his supportive wife Nancy and enjoys family time with his four children and eight grandchildren. He is honored to be part of a wrestling community that includes a lifetime of cherished friendships and unforgettable memories.