William (Bill) James Belgie was born on 11/22/1957 in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania and passed into Jesus’ arms on 5/27/2025 in El Paso, Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents James Belgie and Clara (Ritchie) Belgie.
Bill graduated from Phoenixville Area High School in 1975 and joined the US Army that August. He served 25 years until October 2000, achieving the rank of Sergeant Major. Duty stations included Ft. Bliss, TX, Korea, Germany, Saudi Arabia and Ft. Polk, LA.
Bill married his high school sweetheart, Barbara Van Horn July 19, 1980. They went on to have two children. During his final two years of service, Bill battled Stage IV Gastric/Esophageal cancer. After retiring from the Army in 2000, they settled in El Paso, TX where Bill continued to battle cancer and eventually declared “cancer free”. He was ordained as an elder in the Nazarene Church and he pastored Open Gate Community Church from 2010 to 2023. Bill also went on to receive his master’s degree in counseling graduating in 2022 and worked to complete his 3,000 hours required for his LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor); he completed this just prior to his death.
Bill’s passions were his family and Jesus. He was so proud of his children, their spouses, and grandsons. He would talk to anyone about Jesus, if given the opportunity and loved to teach from Scripture. He spent a lot of time in the hospital the past two years and didn’t pass up an opportunity to counsel someone if he sensed something wrong. It was not uncommon to go into his hospital room and find a couple of nurses discussing something with him.
Bill is survived by his wife of 44 years, Barbara, children David (Maggie) and Ellen (Josh), and grandsons Logan and Mason. He is also survived by his five siblings Cara, Richard, Michael, Lou Ann and Barbara as well as nieces and nephews.
Visitation for William will be held Monday, June 9, 2025 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a Funeral Service at 7:00 p.m. at Funeraria del Angel Restlawn, 8817 Dyer St, El Paso, Texas 79904. Graveside Service with full military honors will be held on Tuesday, June 10, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson Ave, El Paso, TX 79906.
