Billy Ray "Bill" Bedford

Billy Ray "Bill" Bedford, 81, of Peoria, Illinois went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on the afternoon of Monday, October 6, 2025, surrounded by his family and nourished by the Word of God and prayer.

Bill was a devoted husband to his beloved spouse, Barbara, for over 56 years and constantly served and supported his children and grandchildren, friends and neighbors with a steady, gentle, kind and humble spirit flowing from his heart. After receiving his engineering bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska, he devoted his professional career to serving Caterpillar in Peoria, IL as an engineer for 39 years, earning many patents for his innovative work. Bill bore with patience the trials of navigating dementia and persevered with grace even amid the challenges.

Bill lived a dignified, quiet and upright life, always committed to his family, his church and to his work. He was a master woodworker and showed his love and care by creating, fixing or updating things for others. He was a lifelong learner and was eager to do good, to explore new insights and to be present to the many activities of his children and grandchildren. He was also a skilled genealogist creating a masterpiece study of his family, which he co-authored and published -The Bedford Family of Virginia. Bill was a musician devoted to gospel music, learning the piano at age 4. He continued to share his love for hymns by singing and playing even last week. He didn’t just play music, but his entire life was a song of praise.

He served honorably as a United States Army veteran of the Vietnam Era stationed in Germany.

He was born November 3, 1943 in Giles County, Tennessee, a son of the late Joseph Carter Bedford and Nell Azleen (White) Bedford. He is survived by his wife Barbara Bedford of Peoria and two daughters, Marcia (Steve) Mattern of Brimfield, Il and Amber (Josh) Ray of Peoria, Il, and by nine grandchildren, Elizabeth (Liam) Kelly, Catherine Mattern, Silas Mattern, Bernadette Mattern, Sebastian Mattern, Solomon Mattern, Liam Ray, Mirabel Ray and Liliana Ray and one great grandson, Franklin Kelly. Bill is also survived by his sisters: Betty Jo (Eugene) Smith of Indianapolis, Indiana, Nancy Ann Vallejo of Indianapolis, Indiana, Linda Nell (Tom) Davis of Greenwood, Indiana, a sister-in-law, Linda Bedford of Seminole, Florida, a brother-in-law, Charlie Smith of Nebraska City, Nebraska, and numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his sister Patricia Mae Smith and his brother Bob Bedford.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, October 11, 2025 at Bethany Baptist, 7422 N Heinz Ln, Edwards, IL 61528 with visitation preceding from 2:00-4:00p.m. Burial will be private with family.

The family wishes to thank GrandView Alzheimer’s Special Care Center who cared for Bill since June 2 and Transitions Hospice who cared for him in his last days. Thank you for the comfort and care shown to our whole family.

Service at church will be life stream at link below

https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral---bill-bedford-m3ctfn5azrvugrorb0ql

Memorial donations can be made to Midwest Food Bank at https://www.midwestfoodbank.org/peoria-il/donate-peoria or Giving Back Hope Together at https://gbht.org/donations/donate/ an organization run by Bill’s niece and her husband.