William Joseph "Bill" Remer

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our dear brother and son, William “Bill” Joseph Remer, passed away unexpectedly on December 28, 2021, at his home in Island Lake, IL.

Bill was born on March 27th, 1960 in Chicago, IL to Claire Remer and William Remer. He had an older sister, Caryn, and twin sister, Gail.

Bill grew up in Arlington Heights, IL and attended Arlington High School. He graduated from DeVry and became an engineer, working at Motorola (later Continental) for most of his career. In recent years, he claimed to have graduated from The School of Hard Knocks.

Bill was an avid volleyball player and enjoyed playing in a casual league. He played from the time he was a young adult up until this year when an injury forced him to take a break. Bill was also a student of history and politics. He could always be counted on to debate any political topic from foreign policy to campaign finance reform. He was a life-long learner and, after his early retirement, was able to spend more time pursuing the subjects he loved.

Bill was passionate about music; you always knew when he was arriving for dinner because the music from his car speakers could be heard a block away. He loved going out with his friends to get breakfast after a long night spent talking by the fire at the lake. Bill was also a curator and master chef of potato recipes, which were enjoyed by all, but especially his adoring nephew and nieces.

Bill’s great sense of humor was reflected in the clever slogans found in his amazing t-shirt collection. Some notable slogans include, “Don’t talk to me when I’m busy talking to myself,” “You had me at bacon,” and “333, only half evil.”

Bill was loyal and devoted to everyone fortunate enough to know him. He was a thoughtful, generous, kind and gentle son, brother, father, uncle, cousin, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Words cannot express how greatly he will be missed.

Bill is survived by his parents, Claire and William, his sisters, Caryn Remer (Kevin Amann) and Gail Remer (Mike Fischer), and his stepchildren, Erin Paciga (Rob) and Joshua Forbus. Bill also leaves grandchildren, Samuel Paciga (Mercedes), Elizabeth Peter (Dylan), James Paciga, Huntley Forbus, Kaygan Forbus and Gage Forbus, great-grandchildren, Bentley Paciga, Liam Peters and Beau Paciga, a nephew, Erich Dye, nieces, Elyce Dye and Lindsay Fischer and many treasured friends and relatives.

Bill wished to be cremated and for his ashes to be scattered near the lake where he spent his summers.

There will be a celebration of Bill’s life later this year.