Bille Beeney - Online Memorial Website

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Bille Beeney
Born in United States
81 years
181546
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     Bille G. Beeney, 81, of East Peoria, formerly of Peoria, passed away at 12:05 p.m. on Wednesday, January 8, 2014, at Heartland of Riverview Nursing Home in East Peoria. He was lifted up to heaven after a year long struggle with Multiple System Atrophy.
     A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, January 24, 2014, at United Presbyterian Church in Peoria, with the Reverend Stephen McKinney-Whitaker officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2014, at Clary Funeral Home, 3004 West Lake Avenue in Peoria. There will be an additional visitation one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will be at a later date at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria.
     Bille was born on January 1, 1933 in Peoria, a son of Leamon and Elva (Yates) Beeney. They preceded him in death, along with his older brother, Robert “Bob” Beeney. He married Audrey Kelley in Peoria on June 19, 1955. She survives.
     He is also survived by daughters; Suellen (James) Williams and Marjorie (Pastor Michael) Shirey; son, Timothy Beeney; grandchildren, Evan and Alison Williams, Ilene and Paul Shirey and Andrew and Mateo Beeney; and several nieces and nephews.
     Bille attended Peoria Heights Grade School and Woodruff High School, graduating in 1951. He enlisted in the United States Army and served as part of the peacekeeping forces in Germany, during the Korean Conflict from 1952-1954. He attended Eureka College, Dubuque Theological Seminary and Bradley University. He earned a BS from Bradley in 1958 and a MA in 1972. He became a special education teacher for Peoria District 150, working in several different schools over a span of thirty-eight years. He retired in 1993.
     He was an active member of Arcadia Presbyterian Church for many years, including during the transition into what is now United Presbyterian Church.
     Although a man of few words, Bille could often be found addressing the needs of the community around him. He was a long-term blood and plasma/platelet aphaeresis donor with the Central Illinois Red Cross Heart of America Region, donating more than 56 gallons of blood over his lifetime. He also served as a volunteer driver for many years. In 1999, for recognition of his many years (and gallons) of blood donation, Bille was commended in an annual calendar published by one of the suppliers of blood donation equipment to the Red Cross.
     He also enjoyed traveling and took his family on numerous trips, including ones to a favorite spot in northern Wisconsin, Yellowstone National Park, Washington State and Alaska. He loved working with his hands – all of his children have inherited this joy, although they each express it in different ways.
     Memorial contributions may be in Bille’s memory to the MSA Research Organization, his church youth ministry programs or the local Red Cross blood center.


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Latest Memories
Colleen Matarelli former Public Health Nurse January 23, 2014
When I read of Bille's death, I began to have so many sweet memories of him that I felt compelled to leave a message for his family.  I met Bille at Roosevelt school @ 1971.  I was assigned to the school from the city.  My routine was to meet once a week in Bille's office and check in as to which students I needed to see. 

Bille was so patient with this then 23-24 yr. old naiive nurse.  He taught me so much and was always smiling and upbeat.  I have many fun and fond memories of my time @ Roosevelt .  But there were several times when difficult situations came up and I was concerned.  Bille encouraged me and let me know HE knew I could handle whatever happened.

I can only imagine how hard  his death must be for all of his family.  I pray that knowing how much he meant to others - including a very retired nurse who hasn't seen him in over 40yrs - will help you to know how much he meant to so many people!   CM
Jimmie Aranda Ex-Coordinator for Special Education, District 150 January 14, 2014

When I first came from Ohio to Peoria in 1969 I had been teaching in a country school where no child ever disobeyed or caused a problem, and in Peoria the District needed special education teachers.   That year most of the special education students were placed in the same school, and most of the teachers were new except for Bille, who was the head teacher.   We had no curriculum, only a few books, I had never taught special education students before, and I would likely not have survived that year without him.  He was the definition of “unruffled.”  He never lost his temper, never got excited, and always had a solution.

One picture that remains in my mind was that of a teacher standing in the hall screaming, “All my books, all my things are getting wet!”   On the floor above, workmen were removing a water fountain from the kitchen and had broken a pipe.

In the teacher’s room, water was flowing into the ceiling light fixture and spraying outward like a fountain.    Bille appeared in a raincoat and boots, umbrella overhead, very calmly walked into the room, and began to haul out the teacher’s treasures.  I’m standing in the hall watching, laughing until my ribs hurt.

We survived that year, and a few years following, with Bille’s help.  We have a reservoir of Bille stories.  And we have a bond that has not been broken, thanks to him and to all the teachers who persevered under his guidance.


Latest Condolences
Melinda Alcorn With Sympathy January 24, 2014
I was sorry to hear of Bille's passing.  He certainly helped me a lot when I began working for Dist. 150.  What a good man. He will be missed.  Melinda Alcorn
Beth Hermacinski Condolences January 22, 2014
Mrs. Beeney and family,
    We offer our sincerest condolences for the passing of Mr. Beeney.  He will truly be missed as he has obviously had such a wonderful affect on so many of our lives.  Mine as well as both of my children.  My sons know Mr. and Mrs. Beeney through the numerous school and neighborhood functions such as clean ups, block parties, concerts, etc.  They also are friends with and play on several sports teams with their grandchildren, Andrew and Mateo.  I told my youngest son, Tyler, of Mr. Beeney heading on up to the party in Heaven and Tyler said "Man, I really liked him!  Did you know he was a Vet?" and began rattling off things about Mr. Beeney that I never knew.  Tyler learned some of those things from Mr. Beeney himself, but many he learned from Mateo, because he was so proud of his Grandpa.  One really knows that he has touched lives when you can get teenage boys to listen to you and then discuss you and your life later on instead of girls!!  
    Mrs. Beeney, our family wishes peace for you and your family.  Please take comfort in what an incredible man God now has to help him in what He needs. 
 
    Blessings,
       
     Beth Hermacinski  
Caren Kelley Family member January 19, 2014
Love to Audrey, Suellen, Marje, Tim and the grandchildren ~

When I think of Bille ~~ I remember a gentle and generous man.
I always admired him for his special education teaching career.
He was a man of integrity and patience ~~~ as well as compasison for the more vulnerable amongtst us.


I appreciated all the holidays I spent with the Beeney family.
You all were so gracious to include me and bring me such happiness during those festive times.

How deeply Bille is missed .... but his spirit lives on in you.

I am thinking about you every day.

Love,
Caren 
Jim & Kay Allen Deepest sympathies & wonderful memories January 11, 2014
Audrey, we extend our sympathies of the loss of Bille.  We are in Alabama right now so cannot give regrets in person.  We had good memories of Bille since high school and always enjoyed running into him.
Jay T Gaskins Sympathies January 11, 2014
To Mrs. Beeney & family,

Our heartfelt condolences are with you at this time. Mr Beeney is a great man who the lord took away from us too soon, we appreciated all of his assistance with the altamont park neighborhood association.  They would always make us feel welcomed when we stopped by the home. Keeping you all in thoughts & prayers.
I always remember Mr Beeney driving up Nowland in the Suburban as a child growing up.
He will be miss very much.

Jay T Gaskins & Paul D Wilkinson

Altamont Park Neighborhood Association
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