Gene Edward Bilney, 72, of Cherokee, Iowa, passed away Tuesday morning, April 12, 2022, at his residence at The Beck,following a lengthy illness.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. The Boothby Funeral Home in Cherokee, Iowa,is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.boothbyfuneral.com.
Gene was born on September 23, 1949, at Plainview, Nebraska, to William and Betty Jean (Meikle) Bilney. He graduated from Spirit Lake High School in 1968. He then attended Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa,from 1972-1974. He then took a job with the Science and Technology Library at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. Gene also took classes at U.N.T. while working to further his education from 1981-1985. He continued to work there until his retirement in 2008.
Gene was affiliated with the Methodist Church. He enjoyed walking, collecting books, genealogy, watching movies, going to antique sales, and listening to audio books. He loved nature and was very proud of his English and Scottish family history. He had a dry sense of humor.
He was preceded in death by his father, William Bilney.
He is survived by his mother,Betty Jean Bilney of Cherokee, Iowa; his siblings: Michael (Camille) Bilney of Arvada, Colorado; Deborah (Dennis) Bush of Cherokee, Iowa; Richard Bilney of Redding, California; Kathy (Rick) Geringer of Wheatland, Wyoming; Eric (Lora) Bilney of Terril, Iowa; also several nieces, nephews and cousins.