John Franklin Bilyeu Jr. passed away at his home in Pulaski, Tennessee on Sunday October 27th, 2024 at the age of 76.
John was born in Richmond, California on July 28th, 1948 to Barbara and John Bilyeu. He was the oldest of their three children. As a young boy, John attended a Billy Graham Crusade where he received Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He was baptized at the Baptist Temple in Fresno, California. His family later moved to a farm near Woodburn, Oregon.
John graduated from Gervais High School in 1966 and received a full-ride football and wrestling scholarship from Eastern Oregon College. While there he was named to the All-Conference and All-District football teams three years in a row. He received Honorable Mention as an All-American. John was also the All-District and All- Conference heavyweight wrestling champion. In 2014 he was inducted into the Eastern Oregon College Hall of Fame. After college, John received offers to play football for the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals and the San Francisco 49er’s that he declined due to injuries.
John met and married Nancy Aleskus in Portland, Oregon on July 21st, 1973. They moved to Las Vegas, Nevada where John worked as the Security Chief for the El Cortez and Aladdin Hotels. They eventually moved to Alaska where they lived for more than 30 years. John worked as a police officer, sergeant and lieutenant and state investigator. After retiring, John and Nancy moved to Tennessee and bought a small farm near Pulaski. They became members of Richland Baptist Church. They were married for almost 50 years until Nancy’s death in 2022.
John was devastated by Nancy’s death, but God answered prayer and brought Deb Waddell into his life and the two were married on September 15th, 2023. Deb and John loved each other very much and were a devoted couple. They so enjoyed being together, watching football, after church Sunday drives, and spending time with their animals.
John’s great regret was that he wasn’t able to have children. He found solace and comfort in coaching football. It was his passion and a calling. For many years John coached both junior high and high school football and wrestling in Alaska and football in Tennessee. He referred to the players as “my boys” and he loved and cared for them very much, both on and off the field.
John was preceded in death by his first wife Nancy Aleskus Bilyeu, his father, John Franklin Bilyeu Sr., his mother Barbara (Whitley) Bilyeu and his sister Jodie Bilyeu.
John is survived by his wife Deb Bilyeu of Pulaski, Tn., his sister Patty (Mike) Raykovich of Fayetteville, Tn., his brother Rick (Linda) Bilyeu of Lynnville, Tn., step-sisters Katie Corley and Deborah DeBaecke and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Friday, November 1st, 2024 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at Richland Baptist Church at 10930 Columbia Highway, Lynnville, Tennessee and the Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 2nd at 2:00 PM. John’s brother, Pastor Rick Bilyeu, will be officiating.
