April 1, 1930 – April 23, 2020
Joe Bilby, 90, passed away on April 23, 2020. Joe was a longtime resident of Sheridan having graduated from Sheridan High School in 1948. He married Gloria Harris on March 3, 1957 – she preceded him in death in December 2017.
Shortly after high school, when Joe was farming with his father, Ottis, he was drafted into the U.S. Army and proudly served in Korea during the war. He was a lifelong patriot with a keen interest in military history. A member of the American Legion, he volunteered as precinct committeeman and marshal for years of elections.
Joe identified with the farmers of the area, farming his own ground as well as leading fertilizer and petroleum operations in both Hamilton and Boone counties for various farm co-operatives over several decades.
Joe was a founding member of the Sheridan Lions Club where he served in various leadership positions. He was also a long-standing member of the Biddle Park Board making many a lemon shake-up on the 4th of July at the park.
During retirement, he enjoyed morning coffee with the guys uptown where he got “educated,” the occasional round of golf with friends and going to military airshows – but always looked forward to the arrival of his three granddaughters from Texas.
Joe is survived by his son and best friend Steven, Noblesville; son Curt (Diane), Austin, Texas; three granddaughters, Sarah (Los Angeles), Mary Grace (Chicago) and Jane (Austin). Besides his wife Gloria, Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Ottis and Ruby Bilby of Sheridan, and sister, Esther Bailey, Sheridan.
A graveside service with military honors was held at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan. Due to limitations imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, regrettably, no visitors were allowed.
For memorial contributions, please consider a charitable donation to the Sheridan Lions Club, 508 E. 6th St., Sheridan, IN 46069, or better yet, a fond remembrance shared with family and friends during this health crisis to lighten the mood of this stressful time or you can visit fisherfunerals.com. Fisher Family Funeral Services is honored to serve the Bilby family.
Sorry to hear about your dad. Would like to talk to you Curt it’s been a long time.