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1965 Billy 2023

Billy Lee Waite

July 22, 1965 — February 1, 2023

Billy Lee Waite, 57, of Moline, passed away, Wednesday, February 1, 2023, at Clarissa C. Cook Hospice House.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, Ltd., Moline. Funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 10, 2023, at Zion Lutheran Church, 17628 Hubbard Rd, East Moline, IL 61244. Burial will be at Zion Lutheran Cemetery.

Billy was born July 22nd, 1965, in Rock Island, the son of Barbara Jean (St. Clair) and Dennis Ray Waite. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1983 after graduating high school, where he served honorably for 6 years. On October 24th 1985 he married the woman he would spend the rest of his life with, Shalaina Williams. He worked for Unity Point Health, at the Trinity campus in Moline for 25 years as Security/EMT. During that time he also started a small business with his wife and close friends known as “Soundwave DJs”, where his charm, humor, and love of music were known to all who hired him for his services.

He was involved in the Moline Dad’s club for several years coaching baseball. Him and his wife made the decision to open their home and hearts to foster care for over a decade, helping children feel wanted, loved, and welcomed. Their kindness, love, and affection lives on in every child who ever walked through their doors and into their arms.

Billy ended his working career at the Seventh Judicial District Department for the State of Iowa, as a Residential Officer, after six years, where he continued to show up for work during his battle with cancer, and only taking a break from it a month prior to his passing. His commitment to work and duty is known by all that have ever been employed alongside him.

Bill was a lifelong academic and intellectual, having earned several degrees, certifications, and awards throughout the years, and nearly obtaining his Masters while battling his illness. Bill’s work ethic was only ever rivaled by his empathy for helping others and making them feel welcomed. No matter his relationship to people, he always found a way to make them feel welcomed and close to him. Enemies became allies, siblings became best friends, friends became brothers and sisters, nieces became daughters, even those who did not deserve his empathy were still offered a seat at the dinner table, and all wayward children who came through his doors got to experience what it felt like to have loving and devoted parents.

Bill’s sharp wit and dry humor will be missed by all who had the privilege to sit down and banter with him.

A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. Live Long and Prosper. – Leonard Nimoy (Spock)

Survivors include his wife Shalaina; adopted son, Anthony Newton; mothers, Barbara Jean St. Clair, Reba Williams; brother Christopher J. Weese; nieces Nichole Ellis, Cassondra Mossavat; Great nephews and nieces, Jonathan Waite, Maddison Marie Knowles, Benjamin Pyron, and Jaceton Jacob Lee Waite; adopted granddaughter, Layla Newton.

He was preceded in death by his father and sister, Dennis Ray Waite and Amy Lynn Hawley.

To send flowers to the family in memory of Billy Lee Waite, please visit our flower store.

Service Schedule

Past Services

Visitation

Thursday, February 9, 2023

4:00 - 7:00 pm

Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, Ltd (Moline)

6601 38th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265

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Funeral Service

Friday, February 10, 2023

Starts at 1:00 pm

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