Bill Talidis

It is with great sorrow we share the passing of Vasilios “Bill” Talidis. On November 28th, Bill passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Florida at the age of 86 due to complications of diabetes.

He was born in Kastoria, Greece. At the age of 9, his father had succumbed to pneumonia. As was the custom, Bill left school and began working in the fur business to support his mother and sister. At the age of 20, and without knowing the English language, Bill came to America. His fine skills as a furrier soon found him with his own small shop in downtown Chicago. Bill soon became acquainted with an elderly couple who owned a small fur shop and mink ranch in Union, Illinois. After making garments for their shop, the couple wanted to retire and asked Bill if he would own the business.

In 1968, Bill married his sweetheart, Marlys Schwab, and “The Mink Barn” was on its way. Together they had two children, Stefanie and James.

In the 1970’s, furs were becoming more popular and in the 1980’s, furs were being worn everywhere. Bill’s risky investment paid off!

Bill belonged to many organizations. He served as President of the Illinois Mink Breeders Association, President of the McHenry County Shrine Club, an Ambassador of the Tebala Temple Shrine Club, and was often invited to lecture at the University in DeKalb. He enjoyed these functions, but he most enjoyed the golf outing he and friends would arrange for 13 years for the St. Colletta School for the Mentally Challenged. Bill’s daughter Stefanie was mentally challenged and forever in his heart when she passed

Bill is survived by his first wife, Marlys; son, James; his wife of 36 years, Betty; step-daughter, Vanessa (Fernando) Vargas; granddaughters, Brittany and Raven; nephews, George (Maria) Dernis, John (Kathy) Dernis and Alex Dernis.
He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed by his family and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Demetrios and Stavroula Talidis; his sister, Toula Dernis; and his beloved daughter, Stefanie.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 9, from 4-8pm at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake.  A service will be held on Thursday, December 10, at noon at the funeral home with burial to follow at Union Cemetery in Union, IL.