William Eugene Dix

William Eugene (Bill or Papa) Dix was born July 15, 1932 in Macomb Illinois. He was the third of four children born to John Alvin and Helen Marie (Gloyd) Dix. Bill was called home to be with his heavenly Father on Sunday, February 25, 2024 at the age of 91.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 70 years, Margie Kay (McCullough), his sister, Virginia Lee (Dix) Clayton Chapman, and his children: Monique (George) Close and Patti (David) Ivans. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren: Olivia (Adam) Brill, Emily (James) Bryer, Sophie Close, Patrick Close, Maggie Close, Brittany Bennett, Jake Ivans, and Joshua Ivans. He also had the great pleasure of getting to know his 9 great grandchildren: Ellie and Theo Brill, James Bryer III, Preston, Natalie, and Hunter Bennett, Emma Hillegas, Riley Hillegas Stegall and Rory Ivans. He is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, John Dix and Jack Dix, and two beloved granddaughters, Kristol Anne (Ivans) Friel and Angelica Marie Hillegas.

Bill was a nomad and an adventurer. He was known far and wide for his stories, which he loved to tell, perhaps with some embellishments over time. But most of all, he loved his family which included many “framily” members he collected during his life. Of special note to Bill are these “framily” members who survive him, Claire and Mark Pelletier, Pam and Phil Stegall, Sue Williams, and Cheryl Creamer. Bill loved to travel. He and Marge enjoyed trips together all over the US, having visited every state. They also had an epic trip to Europe traipsing around together. Bill was a “Jack of Many Trades”. He worked as a carpenter, owned multiple restaurants, did maintenance for various companies, and even lived and worked on a producing gold mine in Colorado. During his last years, Bill was an avid reader, solitaire player, and “colorist”. Anyone who visited him recently left with a color page from one of his many coloring books.

During the last four years of his life, Bill was cared for at home by the Accredited Hospice due to advanced COPD. The family would like to recognize the incredible care and support we all received from the hospice team with special recognition to Carey, Krystle, Ashley, Tiffany, Sara, Zee, Debbie, and Katie, just to name a few of the many awesome women who truly became part of our framily.

A rosary for Bill will be held Friday, March 1 at 10:00 am followed immediately by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church 10330 Hillcroft Street, Houston, Texas 77401. A graveside service will be held at a later date in Colchester, Illinois, at the family plot.