Rev. Thomas L. Bill, C.S.C.
Feb. 13, 1928-July 15, 2015
Rev. Thomas Lee Bill, C.S.C., 87, died Wednesday (July 15, 2015) at Holy Cross House.
Watch Fr. Bill’s funeral Mass here.
He was born Feb. 13, 1928, to Alfred and Clara (Scheibelhut) Bill in South Bend, Ind.
Fr. Bill attended St. Patrick grade school and after two years at old Central Catholic High School, he transferred to Holy Cross Seminary, Notre Dame. Upon graduation from the minor seminary, he entered the Novitiate in Rolling Prairie, Ind., on Aug. 15, 1946, and made First Vows on Aug. 16, 1947. Moving to Moreau Seminary, Fr. Bill began studies at Notre Dame, graduating in 1951. He made his Final Vows on Aug. 16, 1951. He studied theology at Holy Cross College, Washington, D.C.
Fr. Bill was ordained to the priesthood on June 8, 1955, in Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame. He remained at Notre Dame to study, earning a master’s degree in philosophy in 1957. After teaching for two years at the University of Notre Dame, starting in 1962, he began studies at St. Louis University, which lead to a doctorate in philosophy in 1963. Fr. Bill then began a long career in teaching at the University of Portland, where he was also a much-sought-after confessor, counselor and spiritual guide.
Upon his retirement in 1990, Fr. Bill became the Archbishop’s Liaison to the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Program for the Archdiocese of Portland. Fr. Bill moved to Holy Cross House in 2008.
Fr. Bill is survived by his sister, Sr. Clare Alfred Bill, C.S.C., of the Sisters of the Holy Cross at St. Mary’s College; nieces, Annette M. (Bob) Heminger, Marcia (Edward) McMillen, Carol E. (Philip) James, and Sharon Strebinger; nephews David J. (Patti) Strebinger, Paul E. Strebinger, Kevin S. (Kay) Strebinger; as well as many grand and great-grand nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his parents, Alfred and Clara Bill, sister Marilyn (Robert) Strebinger, and three grown nephews James, Brian and Mark, as well as an infant nephew John Strebinger.
The Visitation will be from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Monday (July 20, 2015) at Moreau Seminary, where there will be a Wake Service at 7:30 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday (July 21, 2015) at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame. Burial will be in the community cemetery at Notre Dame. Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, is in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial contributions in support of the mission and ministries of the Congregation of Holy Cross can be made to: United States Province of Priests and Brothers, Office of Development, P.O. Box 765, Notre Dame, IN 46556-0765 or online at donate.holycrossusa.org.
