Billy D. Barger

Billy Dean Barger, 84, of Woodstock, IL. passed away on January 24, 2021, due to complications from dementia. He was born April 30, 1936, at home in Pope County, Illinois to Clifford and Wilma Barger. After graduation from Galatia High School, he joined the United States Air Force and proudly served his country at O’Hare International Airport, working on airplane hydraulics.

After his enlistment, he used the veterans’ bill to attend Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. He trained as a certified vocational machines instructor. After one year of teaching special education industrial arts in Murphysboro, he obtained a teaching position in Woodstock where he taught vocational machines, drafting, woods and welding for 34 years. He married Sharon Heuerman in 1970 after meeting at Woodstock High School as teachers. He retired in 1994 to take care of his terminally ill daughter, Betsy.

Billy was an avid woodworker. He loved making wooden toys. He also made grandfather clocks, toy boxes and dollhouses for his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Bill’s joys in life were his granddaughters, Jennifer and Katie and his great grandchildren, Finn, Kinzie and Palmer. Even when suffering from dementia, he would light up when he heard their voices or saw their faces.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon, of 50 years, his brother Kenneth, two sisters Mary Anne (Kenneth) Dennis and Brenda Lee (Gene) Baine, granddaughters Jennifer (Zach) Miller, Katie (Jake) Homuth, great grandchildren Finn Rypkema, Kinzie Miller and Palmer Miller. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Hervie DeWane (Bud) and Lonnie Lee and his daughter Betsy Ann.

Bill was cremated and memorial services will be scheduled at a later date.

The family asks that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

The family wishes to thank the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District, Northwestern Medical Huntley Hospital Staff and Journey Care Barrington for the care given to their loved one.