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CHAMPAIGN - Bloice "Bill" Bess, 88, Champaign, passed away at 11 p.m. Monday (Aug. 13, 2007) at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.
His funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church of Champaign at Savoy, 1602 Prospect at Burwash. The Rev. Dr. Randy Gauger will officiate. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery, Champaign. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Morgan Memorial Home, Savoy.
Mr. Bess was born Jan. 24, 1919, in Fairbury. He was the son of Everett and Lou Bess.
Surviving are five children, Ronald (Colleen Gowl) Bess, Chicago; Bob Bess, Owensboro, Ky.; Beth (Mark) McKee, New Haven, Ind.; Amy (Jeff Lesher) Bess, McLean, Va.; and Michael (Katherine) Bess, Charleston; nine grandchildren, Daniel Bess, Chicago; Laura Bess, Champaign; John Bess, Owensboro; Adam and Sophie Lesher, McLean; Brent and Molly McKee, New Haven; Kyle Bess, Charleston; and Catherine Gowl, New York City. Also surviving are his brother, Dick (Eleanor) Bess, Lafayette, Ind.; and his beloved companion, Roberta "Bobbie" Scaggs, Champaign.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Rosemary Freeman; and his wives, Audrey Sinclair Bess, Hazel Blevins Bess and Mary Trussel Bess.
Mr. Bess was a top sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during World War II. He served as a tail gunner and radio operator in 60 combat missions. He was highly decorated and was awarded the Silver Star.
Mr. Bess graduated from Illinois State University with a B.A. in history and a MA in education. He was an Illinois High School Hall of Fame Football Coach with long successful records at Bloomington and Mattoon high schools. He was the head football and track coach at Bloomington High School for 12 years, and had the most successful record of any Bloomington coach up to that time. At Mattoon, he led a football turnaround that resulted in two Big 12 Championships and a place in the state 4A Semi-finals. He also coached conference and state track champions at both schools. He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed much of his last 25 years on the university golf course at Savoy.
Memorial contributions can be made towards a University of Illinois Athletic Scholarship being established in his name.
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