Billy Griesbaum

Billy  M. Griesbaum, 88, passed away at 1:50 am, Sunday morning at Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.He was born in Alton, IL on August 27, 1924, the son of the late Joseph and Bessie (Culp) Griesbaum.Bill graduated from Alton High School and received his B.S. from Rolla School of Mines. He continued his education with graduate studies at USC.During WWII, Mr. Griesbaum honorably served 19 months on the front lines as a combat engineer. One of his proudest moments was assisting in the liberation of France.Bill married Neva Jean Neunaber on July 30, 1960, at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto.He worked at Emerson Electric and then McDonnell-Douglas (now Boeing) where he retired from in 1987.Bill was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto where he served as a Lay Minister for 14 years. He was also a member of the VFW Post 1308 in Godfrey. Bill enjoyed playing golf as well as volunteering as a ranger at Belk Park in Wood River.Bill, along with his wife, Neva (Jeanne), of 53 years, spent time traveling in their motor-home and wintering in Texas during their retirement. He will be missed, but lovingly remembered by his grandchildren and his great-granddaughter, Kierstyn, who he loved spending time with.In addition to his wife, Neva, he is survived by two daughters and their husbands, Debbie and Jim Watters, and Pam and Kent Brigman; five grandchildren, Jeremy, Jacob, and Carly, Watters, and Kayla and Ben Brigman; three step-grandchildren and their spouses, Pam and Brian Blagoue, Nicki and Tim Phelps, Kim Snelson, several great-grandchildren; a twin sister, Betty Grove of Alton; two brothers, Earl and Maurice Griesbaum of Alton; a sister-in-law, Edna Griesbaum; a brother and sister-in-law, Neil and Nita Neunaber of Wood River; and several nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by three brothers, Lester, Cecil, and George Griesbaum; and a sister, Velma Seago.Visitation will be held Tuesday, August 27, 2013, from 4 to 8:00 pm, at Elias, Kallal, and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 28, 2013, at 10 am, at Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto, with Pastors Willard Meyer and Mark Hofferber, and Vicar Adam Ellsworth officiating.Burial will take place in Rose Lawn Memory Gardens with military burial rites provided by VFW Post #1308.Memorials may be directed to Zion Lutheran Church in Bethalto or to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.Online condolences & guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com

Obit Provided By:
Elias, Kallal & Schaaf Funeral Home