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- The Herlad News, Joliet, Illinois, Saturday, August 2, 2003
Bessette overcame illness – and achieved
William E. Bessette Jr. did not let adversity stop him from living a life of service to his family and his community.
In the 1930s, a cow kicked a young Bill Bessette at a farm he was visiting, said his wife, Adeline "Lil" Bessette of Joliet. Bill contracted spinal meningitis as a result, but survived the ordeal.
The meningitis did, however, leave him deaf in one ear, which left him unable to achieve his dream: becoming a Roman Catholic priest.
He went on to become an Eagle Scout and a member of The Order of the Arrow. He remained active in the Boy Scouts as a leader and encouraged his sons to become involved, too, Adeline said.
"He was a very gentle, caring man, very much a gentleman," she said. "He loved people. He loved his family: me, his children and his grandchildren. He loved everyone he met."
"I never heard a mean word out of him. He always said, 'If you can't say anything good, don't say anything at all.' He opened doors for me whenever he could, always said thank you, and was always grateful for anything that anyone ever did for him."
Bill was 72 years old when he died on June 14.
Even when Bill was diagnosed with throat cancer five years ago and his larynx and vocal chords were removed, he never complained, Adeline said.
"He always said he was sorry for what he was putting me through," she said. "He never said that he was going through hell."
Religion was a big part of the Bessette family home.
"We went to church every Sunday," Bessette said. "He taught his kids to be respectful and kind, and to thank God for everything they had. We prayed as a family."
The Bessettes had four children: Sister Jeanne Bessette, OSF, of Melrose Park; Wayne (Jane) Bessette of Shorewood; Carl (Nelly) Bessette of Shorewood; and Celeste Bessette of Shorewood, as well as six grandchildren.
After graduating from Northeastern University in Boston with a major in village management, Bill had hoped to stay out East with a job offer. But his wife hoped that they would stay in the area, where both of their families lived.
Instead, Bessette began working for Material Services in Romeoville, where he decided to dig his roots and raise his family. But the long commute to the home office in Chicago eventually became a wearying one.
When he was offered a job with State Farm Insurance, Bill decided to take it and worked for the company for 20 years. During those years, Bill became involved in his community.
He served as a volunteer firefighter; later he served two terms as a village board member. Bill was also a past police and fire commissioner, and a former member of the Romeoville Zoning Board of Appeals and Parade Association.
In addition, Bill was a lifetime member of the Hampton Park Social Athletic Club, a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge, Lockport and Joliet lodges.
Illness couldn't keep Bill from doing something positive for other people. After the throat cancer diagnosis, Bill, along with his good friend Art Fenske, president of the Second Voice Club, would speak at area schools, warning students about the dangers of smoking.
Both men spoke with a prosthesis as neither one had a larynx anymore.
Adeline believes that her husband made a lasting impression on the grandchildren. "They are so against smoking," she said. "If they see anyone smoking, they say, 'He should have met Grandpa.' "
Chicago Tribune, Wednesday, June 18, 2003
William E. Bessette Jr.
William E. "Bill" Bessette Jr., age 72, Saturday, June 14, 2003 at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center. A former Romeoville resident, residing in Joliet. Graduate of Northeastern University in Boston and St. Philip High School in Chicago. Retired from State Farm Insurance. Served the Village of Romeoville for many years. Preceded by his parents, William E. and Agnes. Survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Adeline "Lil", nee Occhipinti, Bessette of Joliet; four children, Sr. Jeanne Bessette, O.S.F. of Melrose Park, IL, Wayne (Jane) Bessette of Shorewood, Carl (Nelly) Bessette of Channahon and Celeste Bessette of Shorewood; grandchildren, Stephen Bessette, Sara Bessette, Maggie Bessette, Alex Figura, Christina Bessette and Benjamin Figura; one brother, Wayne (June) Bessette of Schaumburg; his mother-in-law, Rosalie M. (late Stephen Loui) Barry of Joliet. Funeral Services Thursday, June 19, 2003 at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church, 505 Kingston Dr., Romeoville. Family and friends will gather at the church from 10 a.m. until the Mass of the Resurrection, which will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Romeoville. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate, 801 N. Larkin Ave., Suite 101, Joliet, IL 60435. Visitation Wednesday 2 to 9 p.m. at Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet. For information, 815-741-5500 .
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Bassett Family Association Database
- 2003