Walter Oleska Bilous

1971 - 2023

Walt Bilous departed from this world suddenly in his home of natural causes on December 26, 2023 at the age of 52. He was a beloved member of the Greensboro community who lived a full life of adventures and possibilities. Walt was born on May 20, 1971 in Philadelphia to Volodymyr (Walter) Bilous and Ludmilla Revenko Bilous. Walt was preceded in death by his mother and his sister Elizabeth (Liza) Bilous, his grandparents Hryhorij and Lydia Bilous and Fedir and Natalie Revenko, and his uncle Paul Revenko-Jones. He is survived by his father, his brother Mark Bilous, his aunt Oksana Revenko-Jones, his uncle Leonid (Len) Bilous, aunt Julie Reider, cousins Mikhail (Mischa) Bilous and Peter Reider, and countless beloved friends.

Walt attended Page High School in Greensboro, and in 1996 he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. For over 30 years, he worked for TE Connectivity as a Senior Manufacturing Engineer. More recently, he worked as an engineer at TAT Piedmont and at several local breweries. Walt was looking forward to beginning the next chapter of his career helping Toyota launch their first North American battery plant.

Walt was a man of many talents throughout the phases of his life. He played the violin in the UNCG Symphony. He refereed soccer for over 25 years including ACC collegiate matches. He was a proud JROTC Supply Officer. He was a gifted mechanic, enthusiastically rebuilding Volkswagens, BMWs, Subarus, and bicycles, including as a volunteer for Bicycling in Greensboro providing bikes to those in need. He was a long-time dedicated cyclist and an active part of the Greensboro cycling community, completing his first 100-mile Century ride in 2014 and instilling a love of cycling in others by giving away bikes and taking many on their first mountain biking or bikepacking trips. He was an inventive cook who loved introducing friends to new dishes and flavors. He was an avid grower of hops vines and hot peppers at the Dunleath Community Garden. He was an award-winning homebrewer, past board member of the Battleground Brewers Guild, and a Certified Beer Judge. He was a founding member of the Greensboro Irish Road Bowling League (G.I.R.B.L.) and a beloved member of the local running community including GSO RunClub, South End Brewing run club, and other running autonomous collectives. Walt was well-known for hosting gatherings and neighborhood events including annual Mardi Gras parties and Dunleath Porchfest concerts.

Walt was an adventure enthusiast and loved multi-day excursions that included cycling, paddling, camping, running, golfing, fishing, and, when not restrained by his more risk-averse friends, maybe a touch of cannonball throwing or ax sports, freezing-weather minimalism, or questionable campfire cooking. The "Waltisms" and stories collected by his many social groups will be the stuff of legend for years to come. Walt would not shy away from putting on a ridiculous outfit if the party needed extra goofiness, but he was serious about helping anyone he perceived to be in need.

Walt cared about the environment and extolled the values of minimalism, conservation, and frugality, which he lived by every day. You might catch him washing disposable plasticware, or fabricating his own adventure equipment from things around the house instead of buying something new. His several bikes were his preferred modes of transportation anytime that was an option.

While Walt was involved with many organized group activities, it was never really about the running, the homebrewed beer, the cycling, or the camping. His focus was always on his fellow humans and on the friendships. Walt was the guy you could always depend on to be there, to do the work, to say the hilarious quip that made the evening memorable. There are Walt-sized holes in so many hearts and in so many communities that will never be filled.

Walt's mind could solve any problem, his heart would help any person, and his body could endure any challenge. To his friends and loved ones, Walt seemed indestructible, which makes his passing all the more difficult to accept.

All who love Walt are invited to join a "Walt-style" celebration of his life in Greensboro on Saturday, January 20th. Further details and other resources will be posted at www.WaltBilous.com

A funeral service will be held at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral in Philadelphia, PA on Tuesday January 9 at 10am, viewing from 9am-10am. There will be a graveside ceremony and burial alongside Walt's mother, sister, and grandparents at St. Andrew Memorial Church in South Bound Brook, New Jersey at 1pm.

Those who feel inclined to make a donation in honor of Walt's life are encouraged to give to the local organizations he supported:

Bicycling in Greensboro https://bikegso.org/Donate

Three Rivers Land Trust https://threeriverslandtrust.org/donate-2/

"High speed, low drag." - Walt Bilous