“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:6
James William (Bill) Greene, 77, was welcomed to his heavenly home on September 12, 2020, after succumbing to complications from the COVID-19 virus. His devotion to his family and a strong faith in God was a significant support in his struggle, and ultimately gave him peace. He lived his life by the 23rd Psalm and though he walked through the valley of death, he feared not, for his God was with him.
Bill was born in Lebanon, Indiana, on February 26, 1943, son of the late James G. Greene and Maxine Greene (Hine). He was married to his life-long sweetheart, Jane Ann Greene (Hugill), for 58 years, who survives him in death. He was preceded in death by daughter, Cindy Marlene and is survived by daughter, Teresa Ann Lewis-Teskey (Rick), Gilbert, Arizona, and siblings Randy J. Greene (Heather), Indianapolis, Indiana, and Brenda M. Myers (Lyle), Scottsdale, Arizona. He is also survived by 4 grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren and was proud to witness the birth of 8 great-grandchildren. He also had many admiring nieces and nephews.
Bill was a 1961 graduate of Lebanon High School, Lebanon, Indiana, and attended Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana, where he was a member of the Butler Bulldogs Marching Band.
Bill worked as an executive at AFNB/Bank One in Indianapolis, Indiana, and in the financial industry for over 30 years. Bill and Jane were also foster parents to over 30 children in need of refuge over the years. Bill always loved the Arizona climate and dreamt about living there one day. That dream was fulfilled when he moved to the Valley of the Sun in 1996 to be closer to his daughters and grandchildren. Once there, they both became house parents at Sunshine Acres Children’s Home in Mesa, Arizona.
Bill had a knack for storytelling, often improvising on details to make things more interesting. He loved God and his family and always had a big smile on his face for everyone who met him. He loved music and sang and traveled with the Sanctuary Gospel Quartet for over 20 years. He was a member of the Nazarene Church for most of his adult life and most recently attended East Valley Free Will Baptist in Mesa, Arizona. He was also a member of Gideons International.
He was warmly loved by all his family and friends and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Sunday, September 20, 2020, at 3:00 pm, at Tempe Nazarene Church, 3929 S. Rural Rd., Tempe, Arizona 85282.
The service may be streamed at https://YouTube.com/tempenazarene
*Masks are required.
Flowers will be accepted at: Mountain View Funeral Home, 7900 E Main St, Mesa, Arizona 85207
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the J. William Greene Memorial Fund at Gilbert Christian School Corporation at the following link: www.gcsaz.org/billgreenememorial
Bill & Jane were more like family to me than customers. He was always full of good advice when I needed it. I truly believe Bill is getting things ready for all the people he loves in heaven. I can still see that big smile on his face.
To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.
Brenda and Lyle, Jeff and I are so sorry you had to say goodbye to your brother
We can’t imagine the pain
If we could only see……. he is the lucky one!!! Someday the reunion will be so sweet. Love you guys!!! Our hearts are there with you Sunday and always
Randy and Heather, I am so sorry for the loss of your brother. My prayer is that the God of all Comfort will give you His Peace and strength as you celebrate Bill’s life and lay him to rest.
I met Bill Greene when he was tirelessly working on the founding of the National Association of Independent Credit Reporting Agencies, or NAICRA. His dedication to that group as its first Executive Director at the most critical time, its very beginnings in the early 1990’s made it a success which carries on today as the National Consumer Reporting Association.
Besides being a dedicated professional, Bill was a wonderful person! His passion for life and faith in the Lord was obvious to anyone who spoke to him. I cherish memories of many conversations and wonderful times together at NAICRA events.
My deepest sympathy and prayers to Jane, Teresa and his family for the loss of such a wonderful man. RIP dear friend.
Terry Clemans
Executive Director – National Consumer Reporting Association
We are sad to hear of the passing of our friend Mr. Green but know that he is in the loving arms of Jesus. Our condolences to the family.
It was with a great deal of sadness that l received the message of the Passing of my dear friend, Bill Greene. Even though l had spoken with Bill, as he would struggle with a few words at a time during his weeks of Covid 19, l still wasn’t ready to hear he had passed. Bill and l became good friends when l was 14 yrs old, and we maintained a lasting friendship as the years rolled by. Even though we were in different states, different vocations, we always managed to keep in contact. l pretty much knew about his changes in life and he knew about mine, including the difficult times and the good times. As most of Bill’s friends knew, a short phone call was not in his making, but to me that was great, because we both were able to share each other’s concerns, laugh as he shared his infamous stories, plus the most important workings of God in our lives. It would make a good book of all the enjoyable times we had together from our teen years, college and career lives, all the way on into our senior years. Within the last year we had many late night one hour conversations. It was as though he knew that time was running short for him as he would say, “Well, if this is the last conversation we have, l will see you over there”. Little did l know that it would be sooner than later…. So, to the Greene family, please accept my true appreciation to each of you for sharing a true friend , Bill Greene, with me. May you walk through this difficult time knowing Bill had a profound influence on my life, and for countless others as well. He is now free from the bondage of this life as he has moved to realms of Heaven, in the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Laverne P. Mohl, a best friend forever!