Billie V. Lahue

Billie was born on December 19, 1936, in Clay, KY, the son of Frances Lucille Vaughn and Crawford Brantley. After his parents separated, he was raised in Clay by his beloved grandparents, Mary Alice and Edward Vaughn, until rejoining his mother and her husband John Lahue in Springfield in 1951. At the age of 16, Billie embarked on his first great adventure when he decided to return to Kentucky, hitch hiking to St Louis where he borrowed a boat and floated down the Mississippi river and up the Ohio River until he was apprehended at the Smithland Locks in Kentucky and returned home to Springfield. He joined the U.S Marine Corps in 1955 shortly after graduating from Springfield High School. He met and married Lois J. Whitecavage in 1959 while serving as a Sergeant at HQ Marine Corps in Arlington Virginia. Their first child, William, was born in Springfield in 1961, just after Billie had been assigned to the 3rd Marine Division, Subic Bay, Philippines. Their second child, Theresa, was born in Subic Bay in 1962, followed later by the birth of their third child, Mary, in 1963 while serving at Camp Pendleton, California.

Billie left the Marine Corps in 1964 after 12 years of service to spare his young family from the hardships of military life. He embarked on a career in auto mechanics, attending night school while working as a mechanic for Sears. His fourth daughter, Catherine, was born in 1967 in Los Angeles, California. In 1968, Billie moved the family to Stonington, Illinois to work with his Uncle Clare at Lahue’s Garage. In 1971, he was accepted for Caterpillar Tractor Company’s Millwright apprentice program and remained with Caterpillar until he retired. After becoming empty nesters, Billie & Lois moved to Springfield in 2000.

Billie was a life-long learner and became a highly skilled craftsman, mechanic, cabinetmaker, and photographer, doing everything from rebuilding his children’s cars to making fine furniture, stained glass, and photographs that have become treasured family heirlooms. He was also an avid fisherman and reader, and for many years enjoyed building and flying model airplanes with the Springfield Flyers Club. Billie was a dedicated family man and active community member, serving for years as Scout Master in Stonington, as well serving in various positions with the American Legion Post 257 and Knights of Columbus. In recent years, Billie learned to play video games from his grandsons and looked forward to playing Call of Duty Black Ops with his son Bill several nights a week including his last night with us. He was beloved by his family and friends for his great kindness, wisdom, and integrity.

Billie is survived by his wife of 66 years, Lois of Springfield; son, Bill (Milagros) of Virginia; daughters, Theresa (Tim) Mercer of Iowa, Mary (Steve) Reed of Springfield, and Catherine May of Tennessee; nine grandchildren, Nicholas (Lyndi) Reed, William and Alexandra Lahue, Brian, Adam, and Katie Mercer, and Brent, Caleb, and Amelia May; four great-grandchildren, Hannah, Abraham, Andrew, and Joy Reed; and his loyal dog, Skye.

Visitation & Mass of Christian Burial: The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 8th at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 1725 S. Walnut St., Springfield, followed by a Mass at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Ryan Kehoe, celebrant.

Burial will follow at Grove City Cemetery in Mt Auburn, IL. Military Honors will be provided by Macon County Honor Guard and the U.S. Marine Corps.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friends of Sangamon County Animal Adoption Center, https://www.friendsofscac.org/donate.

The family is being served by Butler Funeral Home-Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield, IL.