William D. "Billy" Greene

William “Billy” “Will” D. Greene, 51, formerly of Kewanee, IL went home to take his rest on Sunday, January 26, 2025 in Marietta, GA. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Caesar Greene Sr. and Patricia Eldridge; maternal grandparents, Bishop Willie R. and Laura Butler and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Billy also known as “Will” was born on August 28, 1973 in Kewanee, the son of Caesar W.D. and Joyce A. Butler Greene Jr.

He played baseball during his younger years and played for Good’s Furniture in Pee Wee League where he was coached by Greg Toliver and his dad, and he batted 1000 during his 2nd year in the league. He then went onto the Farm League for two years and won two batting titles for the Kewanee Police Dept. He then played for Breedlove’s in Little League and was coached by Tom Hornback and his dad Caesar and won the batting title each of those years. During one of the games his two aunts, Ruthie and Jeannine Butler were visiting from Georgia and he hit three home runs just as he told them he would. He continued playing baseball in the Pony League coached by Tom Hornback and his dad sponsored by Guzzardo’s and that team won the 2nd and 3rd year of the three years in the league. He played basketball in the 5th and 6th grades and Jr. High and at Kewanee High School. He and his brother Bobby made his parents and fans delighted by their and the team’s success. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Bulls, Bears and Cubs, the Fighting Illini and the Georgia Bulldogs.

Billy and his brother had perfect attendance in school for several years. They loved sports and while living in the Atlanta, GA area had many visitors from Kewanee and the surrounding areas. One of the many visitors was Sean Lewis who coached the Kewanee High School boys’ varsity basketball team.

He graduated from Kewanee High School in 1991 and attended Macomb Community College in Illinois. He later moved to Marietta, GA where he decided to further his education at Clark Atlanta University where he studied Mass Media. Billy enjoyed spending time with family, friends and especially his daughters. The day Kendall Joyce was born made him the happiest man alive. Through the years Billy had jobs where he made many long-lasting friendships. His last place of employment was Aldridge Pite Haan.

Those left to cherish his memories are his parents, Caesar and Joyce, a brother, Bobby J. Greene of Peoria, two daughters, Kamry Ferguson of Tampa, FL and his baby girl, Kendall Joyce Greene of Marietta, GA, his eight aunts; Susie Warner and Markita Anderson, both of Galesburg, IL, Vivian Butler and Jeanine Butler, both of Meldrim, GA, Willieann Hills, Elizabeth Butler and Bernice Butler-Williams, all of Pembroke, GA and Pastor Ruth Butler (Robert) Alexander of Royston, GA, his six uncles; Paul Greene of Galesburg, IL, Tony Greene of Kewanee, IL, Bruce C. Green (Sherray) of St. Paul, MN, Lee Eldridge of Tiffin, IA, Bobby Butler Sr. of McDonough, GA and Billy Butler (Angela) of Marietta, GA and two nieces, Whitney Greene and Samantha Schwark.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 14 at Rux Funeral Home in Kewanee. A visitation will be held from 4:00-6:00 p.m., Thursday, February 13 at the funeral home and an additional visitation will be held one hour prior to the services on Friday. The burial will be at Pleasant View Cemetery in Kewanee. Memorials may be directed to his family for a memorial to be established.

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