WILLIAM “BILLY O” OLSEN

William “Billy O” Olsen, passed away in the comfort of his home on December 14, 2022.

            He was born April 11, 1950, in Sycamore, IL, to proud parents, Marcus and Audrey Olsen. Bill grew up as one of nine children on the family farm in Maple Park. He attended local schools and graduated from Kaneland High School with the class of 1968. He answered the call of his country in 1971 and proudly served in the United States Army while stationed in Germany until his honorable discharge.

            Two marriages blessed Bill with three children. Tracy, Billy and Bradley, who have memories of Maple Park, Ottawa and Norway, as well as winters in Ft. Meyer’s Beach, FL.

            Bill was built tough and strong, and he never shied away from hard work. His hands contained maps of the years he spent working in concrete construction. For many years he worked side by side with his lifelong friend Jim Yagen making their business, Olsen and Yagen, thrive. Later, Bill would take the helm the business became Wm. Olsen & Sons. When Bill retired he was proud to pass the business on to his son Billy.

            Bill was a proud member of the Maple Park Legion, Post #312.

            Billy O was a lover of life, family and friends. He lived life to the fullest throughout his life and was always the life of the party. He enjoyed vacationing with family and friends; being by the water was his greatest joy. He had a lake house at Indiana Beach where many weekends were spent with family and friends through out the years. The family spent many 4th of July’s there celebrating in flag t-shirts as countless pictures could attest. He taught and passed on his love of the water and boating to his grandchildren. He also taught them to water ski and fish like only grandpa could, or as the grandchildren called him, “Papa Bubba”. It was a bold name for a man they all adored, and title he held proudly. The time they spent with him was magical. Starting when they were young, movie and dinner nights out with Papa would always bring special memories, laughter, and a hilarious story to share.

            Ft. Meyer’s Beach was his home away from home and he would winter there, holding court in several different condos over the years, but none so special than the loving home he regretfully had to sell in 2020. Even so, he was looking forward to another season even though Hurricane Ian made sure it would never be the same. Bill took joy in all things, from antique cars, the occasional card game, Wednesday night dinners at The Pub, golf cart rides around town as he checked in with his favorite groups of people, but nothing held a candle to sweets! He had a sweet tooth that was second to none and you know that if there were any around, he would instantly claim them as his. Ollie’s chocolate malts, Sorrento’s carrot cake and PF Chang’s Great Wall of Chocolate topped his all-time list. Although Bill would have struggles with his health over the years, he always seemed to bounce back with a smile on his face and laughter in his heart. When asked how he was doing, his familiar responses were, “Never better!” and “Feel like a million bucks!”. Those mantras helped to define Bill and color the way he lived his life. He recently shared that, “I’m 72, lived a great, full life, and if I die tomorrow, I’ll be fine.” The friends he made were countless, and you’d be hard pressed to find anyone with a bad word to say. He was one of a kind, larger than life, and that is the kind of hole his passing has made in the hearts of all who knew him. He leaves behind a legacy of hilarious stories and unforgettable memories for us to share and treasure until we meet again.

            He now leaves 2 children: Tracy (Rodney) Feece and William (Megan) Olsen; 5 grandchildren: Brock and Brady Feece, Meredith Olsen, Ava and Cole Olsen; one sister, Melody (Fred) Needham; sisters-in-law, Helen and Sharon Olsen; several nieces and nephews and a boat load of friends.

            He is reunited with his parents, Marcus and Audrey Olsen; a son, Bradley P. Olsen; 3 brothers: Richard, Mark and Mike Olsen; 4 sisters: Patricia Holman, Dorothy McAdams, Nancy Olsen and Caryl Schrader.

            Friends are invited to the Maple Park Legion, 203 Main St., Maple Park, to tell stories and swap legends from 4-7 p.m., Friday, December 30, 2022, followed by a Remembrance Service at 7 p.m., where more stories and memories can be shared by family and friends alike. Private family interment will follow cremation at a later date, and according to his wishes.

            In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Maple Park Family Fund, P.O. Box 121, Maple Park, IL 60151 or the Maple Park Legion, 203 Main Street, Maple Park IL 6015, Memories and tributes may be shared on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page or at www.conleycare.com.