Submitted by: Dan Rich
March 11, 1927 – March 8, 2005
South Bend Tribune 3/10/2005
William E. "Bill" Bilinski, 77, of Summerberry Lane (formerly of S.R. 2) in South Bend, passed away after a short illness on Tuesday, March 8, in the Holy Cross Care and Rehabilitation Center. He leaves a legacy of great love and generous caring for family, church and community.
Friends may call from 3 to 8 p.m. today in Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend. A combined Knights of Columbus and parish Rosary will be said at 4:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held Friday at 10 a.m. in Holy Family Catholic Church, South Bend. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery.
Bill was born in South Bend in 1927 to Frank and Bertha (Gruszynski) Bilinski. On May 6, 1950, the Army veteran married Dolores M. Buttens, who survives. Before his retirement in 1989, Bill was employed as a supervisor for 22 years at the Roadway Express Trucking Co. Life was always centered on family, with his four children and nine grandchildren, who always will remember his warm heart and dollar gifts. A basketball player during Wilson High School's heyday, his talents included bowling and golf. His favorite hobby was rooting on his beloved Chicago Cubs. A former member of the Holy Family Usher's Club, American Legion Post 357 and Polish National Alliance (local PNA 83 Club), Bill's great passion in recent years was the work of the local chapter of the Knights of Columbus (Council 5570) where his devoted service will be missed. He also was a member of the Knights of Columbus Fr. J.A. Niewland General Assembly Fourth Degree.
Surviving are daughters, Barb J. (Guy) Morrical of Granger, Ind., and Donna M. (Dave) Rowley of Carmel, Ind.; and sons, William E. (Jolene) Bilinski Jr. of South Bend and Dennis M. (Kimberly) Bilinski of Bremen, Ind. Grandchildren include Kimberly (Sean) Klimczak of Boston, Mass., Kelly Nemeth of South Bend, Sarah and Andrew Bilinski of Bremen, Jackie and Patrick Rowley of Carmel, Ind., and Nate, Jenna and Shane Bilinski of South Bend. Two sisters survive, Virginia (Joe) Mackowiak of South Bend and Mary Ann Pye of Denver, Colo. Also surviving are brothers, Ray (Martha) Bilinski of South Bend, Bob Bilinski of South Bend and Ed (Clara) Bilinski of South Bend. Preceding Bill in death were sisters, Adele Waruszewski and Margaret Lies, and brother, Chet Bilinski. Memorial donations may be made to Holy Family Church, 56405 Mayflower Road, South Bend, IN 46619.