OREGON — William Joel Beesing, 90, passed away on Friday, May 16, 2025, after a long illness. Bill was born on April 25, 1935, in Enid, Oklahoma to Edwin and Lois Beesing. He graduated from high school in Carrier, Oklahoma, was drafted into the Army and was sent to Germany where he completed his service. When he returned, Bill immediately started working in a laboratory testing soil, was sent to the Nevada Test Site “for six weeks” but met and married Judy, his wife of 64 years (on May 20, 2025), and started his family in Las Vegas, Nevada.
No challenge was ever too big for Bill. His tremendous work ethic, experience and pragmatic problem solving helped Bill develop from a laborer, into a Construction Manager, a Project Manager and ultimately into a Project Executive. Bill worked on large construction sites across the United States but was particularly proud of the construction of the Byron Nuclear Plant, the project that brought Bill and his family to Oregon, Illinois. Other notable construction projects Bill managed included: a Rocket launcher for Boeing and LA Convention Center and Ronald Reagan Library in California, a government office complex and waste water treatment plant in Tennessee, a VA Hospital in Ohio, and a high rise building in Chicago, among many other projects.
Despite his work ethic, Bill’s family always came first. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, who spent all his spare time with his family. Bill was an active member of his church and, after retiring, devoted his time and skills to the construction and operation of the Rock River Center, Oregon’s senior center.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother and father, as well as his siblings, Peggy Vorel and her husband Emil Vorel, and Jerry Beesing, and his son-in-law, Anthony Kostogiannes. Bill is survived by his wife Judy, and three children, Rhonda Beesing, Lloyd Beesing and his wife Randi Beesing, and Dale Beesing and his wife Diane Beesing. Bill also had seven grandchildren and one great grandchild (almost two): Vashoula Kostogiannes, Christos Kostogiannes, Alexandros Kostogiannes, Chelsea Lawrence, Cori Jones, Will Beesing, Connor Beesing, Cooper Lawrence and Piper Jones (due 6/3/25). Bill leaves many faithful and wonderful friends who sent cards, made phone calls and visits during his illness, and said many prayers on his behalf.
Bill’s family would like to thank Serenity Hospice and particularly Rachel and Courtney for the care and kindness during Bill’s last months.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Serenity Hospice or Rock River Center.
Services were held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at Farrell, Holland & Gale, Funeral Home, 110 S 7th St, Oregon, IL 61061, with Interment following at Riverside Cemetery.
