Bill Bacandreas, 89, of Centralia, passed away peacefully Saturday, February 25, 2023, at his home.
Bill was born February 15, 1934, in Athens, Greece, the son of Athanasios Bacandreas and Toula (Fotopoulou) Bacandreas.
Bill is survived by one daughter: Yvonne Bacandreas and her husband Tom Hickey of St. Louis, MO; three grandchildren: Alex Bacandreas, Mara Bacandreas, and Sofi Bacandreas; his twin brother: George Bacandreas of Ballwin, MO; and several nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents: Athanasios and Toula Bacandreas; son: Michael Bacandreas; and sister Rena Ponfil.
Bill was born in Greece and came to the U.S. on a university scholarship at Washington University where he attained his chemical engineering degree. Following him to St. Louis, his family all eventually emigrated to the U.S. and became citizens. Early in his career, Bill worked in food manufacturing, most notably helping to develop the coating for Spree candies. He moved his family to Centralia in 1970 taking a position at the former Hollywood Candy Company. He rose to the position of Vice President before leaving to pursue entrepreneurial pursuits with his beloved hobby of beer can collecting. He created Beer Cans of the Month Club and was known in the hobby for his spectacular beer can collection, even being in the National Inquirer for owning the two most rare beer cans, the Rosalie and the Tiger. In the 1980’s he opened his first Video Time video rental store in Centralia across from the library. He went on to open several more stores in various towns in Southern IL, closing the last one in Salem, IL as the video rental industry gave way to online viewing. He then went back to his beer can passion, this time selling his cans on eBay. Bill was an adventurous, energetic, grateful, happy, and passionate person who loved life and always had a smile on his face.
In life he loved to say he lived his life like the Frank Sinatra song:I’ve lived a life that’s fullI’ve traveled each and every highwayAnd more, much more than thisI did it my, my way
This was true to the end as he passed peacefully in his sleep at his ‘park’. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Per Bill’s wishes, cremation rites will be accorded and no public services will be held. In memory of Bill, memorial donations may be made to the Centralia Humane Society and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, Illinois 62801 (618) 532-3523, which is honored to be of service to the Bacandreas family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
