John J. Bilon

Col. John J. Bilon, (Ret.), 86, of Sherwood passed away Saturday, Feb. 9, 2013. He was born July 25, 1926, in New York City to John and Catherine (Bilecka) Bilon. John was a very devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and volunteer. He will be deeply missed by friends from Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church, the Sherwood Rotary Club (charter President and Paul Harris Fellow), and the VFW. John received a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in hotel and restaurant management from Cornell University and served in the U.S. Army, retiring in 1975 after 31 years. He then worked as a Professor and Director of the hotel and restaurant management program for James Madison University (Va.). In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his brother, Lawrence; sister, Emily Flor (Philip); sister-in-law Juanita Giffin; and brother-in-law John Taylor (Bobbie). Cherishing his memory are his wife of 66 years, Dorothy Taylor Bilon; three sons, John D. Bilon (Fran) of Newnan, Ga., Lawrence Bilon (Jane Ann) of Sherwood, Stephen Bilon (Kathy) of Cabot; one brother, Richard Bilon (Fran) of New Jersey; four grandsons, Clanton, Wesley, Jonathan, and James; six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A celebration of John's life will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, at Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church, 9921 Highway 107, Sherwood, Ark. 72120, with Pastor Alex Workman officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday at Griffin-Leggett/Rest Hills Funeral Home, 7724 Landers Road, North Little Rock, (501) 835-3515. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to VFW, Wounded Warrior Project, Sylvan Hills United Methodist Church, or a charity of your choice. The online obituary, guestbook, and memorial tribute are available at www.griffinleggettresthills.com.