Bill Montgomery

1936 - 2015

Bill Montgomery

Born: March 15, 1936

Died: Feb. 18, 2015

Bill Montgomery, born Willis Milo Johnsen, passed away February 18, 2015. He was born March 15, 1936 to Willis R. and Dorothy (Crowther) Johnsen.

Through his early life Bill would spend summers on his grandparents dairy farm learning his work ethic from his grandfather and his uncles Bob and Chuck. At the age of 14 he was adopted into the Montgomery family. Through the years he took the Montgomery name to new heights while never forgetting his Johnsen roots.

After graduating high school he tried his hand at several different jobs but landed an apprenticeship with Old World Painters who showed him what he could do with the talents God gave him.

His very competitive nature had him strive to be the best painter and decorator he could be. In 1963 he started Bill Montgomery Decorating and when his son Todd was able, the business became Bill Montgomery and Son Decorating. With Todd by his side the business and customers were able to see two excellent craftsmen at work. There was no limit to what could be done in the decorating area when Bill and Todd put their minds to it. Their customers, old and new, understood what they could do.

Bill's creative abilities also helped him rehab several homes and found there was money to be made in real estate so he became a licensed realtor also. Bill played to win whether it was a game of monopoly with his little sisters or his skeet shooting at National Competition when winning was on the line, he was up to the challenge.

Bill took great pride in his work, his family and his extended family at Faith Baptist Church Mill Creek. He took great delight in his children's growing up years, hockey through Todd, pom pom's with Julie. Whatever they were involved in, you would see Bill there. And as his grandchildren became involved with sports and the arts, he was there to show his support.

Bill was preceded in death by his father, Willis R. Johnsen; his mother, Dorothy Montgomery; his paternal grandparents, Charles and Helen Johnsen; along with many Johnsen aunts, uncles and cousins; his sister and brother-in-law, Charlene and Gordon Anderson; and nephew, Jason Kraft.

He is survived by his wife, the love of his life, Peggy; his daughter, Julie (Brian) Hinds and their children, Ben (Collen Finegan, fianc ) and Amie Hinds; his son, Todd (Kathy) Montgomery and his children, Mallori (Chad) Dombrock, Teal and Patrick Montgomery; Peggy's children, Matthew (Rachel) Leathers; and their children, Mackenzie, Jackson and Zackary Leathers and Katrina (Robert) Olsen. He also leaves behind his sister, Lois (Donald) Kraft; and several nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind an army buddy of 50+ years, Lyle Hutchens.

Bill always felt his ability to talk to people was his strong suit but the strongest suit for Bill was his belief in himself and his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A celebration of Bill's life will be celebrated, Sunday March 15, 2015, at Faith Baptist Church Mill Creek, 1S455 S Mill Creek Dr, Geneva, IL at 4:30p.m. with visitation from 2:30 till time of service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wayside Cross Ministries, Aurora, IL.

Arrangements made by Cremation Society of Illinois, 630-820-2828.