Bille Beeney - Online Memorial Website

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

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.