William Bible

William Ellsworth "Bill" Bible, 82, passed away on February 4, 2025, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Born on August 13, 1942, in Oak Park, Illinois, he lived a life enriched by family, music, travel, and a deep appreciation for nature.

 Bill grew up in Oak Park and graduated from Oak Park River Forest High School before earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin. He dedicated his career to the telecommunications industry, working at GTE in Melrose Park, Illinois, and later at AT&T/Lucent Technologies in Naperville, Illinois, where he played a key role in designing telephone switching systems.

He and Suzanne were introduced by mutual friends, and were married in July 1968 in Elgin, IL. They settled in Rolling Meadows and had two children, Lise and Doug.

Bill found joy in family, singing, landscape photography, travel, and the great outdoors. An avid amateur photographer, he enjoyed capturing the beauty of nature on film. He grew up fishing and boating with his dad, and continued boating with his family, on both sides (IL and MI) of Lake Michigan. After spending many summers at the Presbyterian Camp in Saugatuck, Michigan as a child, he continued to visit Saugatuck with his family every summer.

His love of travel included family road trips to national parks across North America. Favorite destinations included Glacier National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park as well as the Canadian Rockies. A lover of cross-country skiing, a reliable source of snow in Illinois proved elusive. The search for a spot with guaranteed snow led to annual winter trips to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where highlights included groomed trails and a heated outhouse (Valley Spur in Munising), as well as Lake Superior whitefish prepared multiple ways at Vierling Restaurant in Marquette.

Music was an integral part of Bill’s life. He developed an early passion for music, playing underneath the piano while his mother gave lessons. A longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Arlington Heights and later Barrington United Methodist Church, he sang in the church choir and actively participated in various church initiatives. He served on the Missions Commission and volunteered with PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter), the Northern Illinois Food Bank, Beyond the Walls (a prison release program), and NICASA.

In 1993, coinciding with their 25th wedding anniversary, Suzanne encouraged Bill to join her for Chicago Master Singers (then TNOS)’s inaugural European tour to Oberammergau, Germany. He reasoned that if he was accompanying Suzanne on the tour, he might as well join the choir and sing. As a tenor, his participation was especially welcomed. This experience sparked a lifelong love of choral music as he participated on many subsequent tours, and continued to sing with CMS (later switching to baritone) through 2024.

Inspired by his parents, lifelong Chicago Symphony Orchestra subscribers, he and Suzanne became subscribers and supporters of the CSO as well, inspiring a love of music in their children. Bill was a dedicated patron of numerous other Chicago arts organizations as well, including Music of the Baroque, Bella Voce, WFMT’s Bach to School program, Ravinia, and Chicago Master Singers.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife Suzanne; his daughter Lise; sister-in-law Sally Jensen; nephews Scott Jensen and John and Peter Holmberg; cousins Connie Kappel and Christine (Jeff) Baker. He was preceded in death by his sister Louise Holmberg, his brother-in-law David Jensen, and his son Douglas Bible.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM at Barrington United Methodist Church (98 Algonquin Road, Barrington, IL 60010), followed by a memorial service at 1:00 PM. 

Bill’s legacy lives on through his contributions to music and the arts as well as his deep appreciation for nature’s beauty. His memory will continue to inspire those who knew him. 

Donations in Bill’s name to Barrington United Methodist Church, Chicago Master Singers, and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are appreciated.