James Joseph Billek

James Joseph Billek, 66, of Phillips, WI, passed away at his home on July 27, 2023. James "Jim" was born on June 15, 1957, at Lapham's Maternity House (the bank parking lot according to Jim).

Jim grew up on the family farm in Phillips. He attended high school at both Rhinelander and Phillips, graduating from Phillips in 1975. After graduation, Jim moved to Tomahawk working for Tomahawk hardware and part time at the Tomahawk Cinema. From 1983-1988, Jim leased the Villa Venice Restaurant. In 1988, Jim revived and reopened the Hideaway Lodge in Harshaw, WI. In 1990, Jim became an admissions counselor at Petersen Health Care in Rhinelander.

In 1992, Jim and Kathy Kehler were married and purchased a small farm in the Gleason area. Before returning to the family homestead in Phillips in 1996. They purchased their first theater in Park Falls.

Jim continued to grow his small business ventures adding theaters in Ladysmith, Bruce, Tomahawk, and Phillips, a Pizzeria "Grandma Zavattaro's Pizza" and a small commercial rental property, the Park Mall. In the National Association of Theatre Owners, Jim and Kathy were jokingly referred to as "the King and Queen of the single screens". Jim sold Ladysmith and Bruce theatres and purchased his first multiplex theater with The Grand Cinema Theatres in New London. Jim later sold the pizzeria, the Park Mall building, and the Park Theatre. Jim joined NATO (National Theatre Association of WI and UP) in 1996 with the purchase of his first theatre and was named to the board of directors in 2010, he remained on the board until his death.

He was a certified Firefighter 1 and volunteered with Harshaw and Nokomis volunteer departments from 1988 -1992. Jim was a Lions Club member in the 1980's.

Jim was always known as "Smiley" to his friends in High School because he always had a smile and positive thoughts. Jim will be missed by everyone he touched, his smile and joking attitude will be remembered by many.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph E. Billek and Anna Mae Billek Bates; his father-in-law, Gordon L Kehler; his grandparents, Joseph and Francis Billek and George and Anna Sophia Molnar; and two brothers-in-law, John E. Kehler and Robert F Dehli. Jim is survived by his wife, Kathy; sister, JoAnne (William) Christensen, Dolores Kehler, Rose Dehli, and Juliette Wegner; nieces and nephews, Michelle (Adam) Moore, Stephanie (Christopher) Ziegler, Michael (Amanda) Dehli, and Alyssa Dehli. He is also survived by many grandnieces/nephews and extended family and friends.

…And in the words of showmen before him Jim would say "the show must go on!"

A Celebration of Jim's life will be held at 1pm on August 9, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church, 144 N Avon Ave, Phillips, WI 54555, with a visitation beginning at 10am and continuing until the time of the service at the church. A private family burial will follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim's memory to the Will Rogers Motion Picture Pioneers Foundation, 6767 Forest Lawn Dr UNIT 303, Los Angeles, CA 90068. Heindl-Nimsgern Funeral Home is assisting the family.