Billy Joe

Finney

Billy Joe Finney, 84 of Sycamore, IL. died November 6, 2026 peacefully at his home. 

He was born on July 8, 1942 in Odin, IL. to Owen and Ola (Smith) Finney. He attended Salem IL High School from 1956-1959, then graduated from St. Elmo High School in 1960 where he met the love of his life Elizabeth (Liz) Mae Kelley. They were united in marriage on June 10, 1960. Bill and Liz made Sycamore, IL their permanent home in 1961. 

Bill worked for various companies in Sycamore such as Anaconda Wire and Cable, Turner Company and Ideal Industries forming lasting friendships with co-workers. He then advanced to plant manufacturing supervisor for Nissan. Later in his life at Pine Acres in DeKalb, he worked as maintenance supervisor which he took great joy in helping the residents. 

As a young boy, Bill enjoyed his time on the Hacisy Ranch in Southern, IL. breaking horses for Hollywood movie sets and occasionally actors such as Dale Robinson and John Wayne. He also loved being part of the Rodeo. 

As a young man he was a volunteer firefighter for the Sycamore Fire Department. Bill was also a member of the Kishwaukee Archery Club, Sycamore Elks Club, Moose Club and the Sycamore Sportsman Club. 

Bill enjoyed camping, deer hunting, fishing, trap shooting and snowmobiling with his family and friends. He especially loved the boating trips on Kentucky and Centralia Lake. He took great joy in helping his son and grandsons with their auto racing at various tracks around Illinois and Wisconsin. One of his greatest pleasures was being able to babysit for his great grandchildren. 

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Finney; children David (Sue) Finney and Marjorie (Terry) Baie, both of Sycamore; his loyal dog Bella that never left his side; grandchildren Johnathon (Crystal) Foster of Genoa, Nathan (Brooke) Finney of Marengo, Jacob (Kelsey) Finney of Sycamore, Joshua (Tyler-Buchenot) Baie of Aurora, Jennifer (Kyle) Guymon of DeKalb and Adam (Brittany) Baie of DeKalb; great-grandchildren Carter Guymon, Madison Foster, Lilly Finney, Brycen Guymon, Braelee Juris, Dylan Foster, Wyatt Baie, Logan Foster, Jasper Baie and Cole Finney; as well as special nephews Bill and Doug Hammond. 

He was preceded in death by his parents Owen and Ola Finney, brothers Dale, Dean, Donnie, Larry and Denny Finney and sisters Marjorie (Finney) Hammond and Ynema "Red" (Finney) Thomas. 

His Celebration of Life Service will be on Saturday, November 21st at 1:00 PM at the Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL. 

The visitation will follow the service from 2:00-4:00 PM at the Funeral Home.

A private burial will be at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Centralia, IL. at a later date. 

Memorials can be made to Compassus DeKalb Hospice or The Barn on Baseline Animal Shelter. 

To sign the online guest book, go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com