Arthur G. Bill

Arthur Grant Bill, 75, of Peoria, Illinois, died Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at the Heartland Healthcare Center in Peoria. He was born on February 24, 1937 in Peoria, Illinois. He was the son of Herman and Ruth (Skeen) Bill. Arthur married Gracie I. Allen on June 18, 1955 in Peoria, Illinois. She survives.

He has four children, Anthony V.(Suzanne) Bill of Monroe, North Carolina, Stephen A. (Ann) Bill of Washington, Illinois, Kathleen L. Bill and Julie A. Bill both of Peoria. He is survived by eight grandchildren, Raechel Bill, Kristen Blayney, Steven Shultz, Mark Bill, Tony Bill, Starr Barrett, Vincent Bill, and Amanda Bill. He also has three great grandchildren, Noah Blayney, Victoria Chatfield and Myles Blayney. He has two brothers, Herman (Judy) Bill Jr. of Peoria Heights, Illinois, and Bert Bill of Peoria, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his parents and two nephews.

Arthur was an electrical engineer for 39 years retiring from CILCO in 1996. He was a professional musician playing the saxophone in many musical groups in Central Illinois including touring the United States with the Rockin R’s. He volunteered many years of musical instruction for various music programs in District 150 Schools. He was active with model railroading and was a race car driver at the old Mt. Hawley Race Track in Peoria. He was a avid fan and past president of the Richard Petty Fan Club. Arthur was a member of the Peoria Federation of Musicians Local #26 and was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church of Peoria.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM Saturday, November 10, 2012 at Holy Family Catholic Church. The Franciscan Friars will officiate. Visitation will be at the Davison Fulton Woodland Chapel on Friday evening from 4 until 7 PM, with scripture service at 6:30 PM. Visitation will be also 30 minutes prior to services on Saturday at the church. Entombment will be in the Resurrection Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to Neighborhood House Critter Meals on Wheels Program at 1020 S. Matthew St. Peoria, Illinois 61605 or you may make a donation to your local school music program. You may view Arthur’s life story at www.davison-fulton.com.