William G. Poulos

William "Bill" Poulos age 86, United States Marine Corp Veteran, passed away peacefully at home on October 23, 2025 with his daughter, Stephanie, son-in-law, Mark, and his friends, at his side. Bill was the beloved husband of the late Ellen (nee Fitzgerald) for 62 wonderful years; loving father of the late Dorothy (Bill) Poulos-Karmis and Stephanie (Mark) Poulos-Ruther; dear brother of the late Tony, Ernie, Sam, Alex, Pete, Gust and (twin) George, and he was a fond uncle of many.

Bill AKA son, Billy, Billy Boy, brother, Marine, husband, brother-in-law, father, protector, uncle, developer, builder, musician, gardener, neighbor, father-in-law, mentor and friend, was born to Greek Immigrants, James and Jennie (Apostolopoulos) Poulos, along with his twin brother on a kitchen table on Kenmore Avenue in the neighborhood of Lincoln Park on March 9th 1939. From a young age of 6, Bill was driven to work hard and never stopped providing well for his family. He began working as a shoeshine boy for the local Greek shoemaker named, Tom. Tom was impressed by the hard-working little boy and would often play the bouzouki (a Greek stringed instrument) while “Billy” finished his work and cleaned up the shop. Oftentimes, Tom would take breaks away from the shop, trusting Billy to finish all the work he was assigned. What Tom didn’t know, is that Billy was watching him while he played the bouzouki, memorizing everything that he heard… and Billy would practice the exact same songs while Tom was away. One day, Tom came back early and caught Billy playing the bouzouki while he was supposed to be finishing his work. Billy thought he was in trouble and slowly handed the instrument back to his employer and apologized for touching it while he should have been working. Billy expected to be fired that day. Instead, Tom said, “Play more for me... I want to hear you play”. Billy was surprised and relieved that he wasn't losing his job and took the instrument and played songs that he had only heard once from Tom. Tom was flabbergasted by Billy's ability to remember and perform anything that he had previously heard Tom play. Tom saw a gift in Billy and was inspired by this prowess. Many days Tom would close the doors and turn people away, “saying come back later we're closed”, to people who were standing in the doorway with their shoes in their hands, watching him teach this little boy new songs, rather than running his business and servicing customers. Many years later, Tom passed away. Tom's son offered the bouzouki to Bill, a gift Bill cherished and played for the rest of his life.

In 1957, Bill enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served his country honorably. These years of his life would become some of the most memorable and nostalgic years that he would take with him and guided his future. The discipline, the teamwork, the “ANALYZE, IMPROVISE AND OVERCOME” mindset, would stay with him for the rest of his life. He never met a problem he could not solve. Either he prayed to God to lead him to a solution, or he asked knowledgeable people around him who were willing to impart their wisdom. He always found a resolution to any predicament he had in his way. He had a knack for turning Stumbling Blocks into Steppingstones.

In 1963, he met Ellen Fitzgerald, the love of his life, at Lakeview Bank where Ellen was a commercial teller. He would stand in her line regardless of how many customers were ahead of him or even if there were shorter lines nearby. From the moment he laid eyes on her, he was in love. He would often relive the thoughts that went through his mind as he stood impatiently in line waiting for her to call his name, “I kept thinking she was beautiful, smart, funny and pure…. That girl will be my wife someday.” And so, they began to date. While by all appearances throughout his life, Bill was a hardened Marine and driven man, he was also deep down inside, a heartfelt man and a true romantic. He often took Ellen on dates to Diversey Harbor Park with a little picnic where for hours, Bill would play his bouzouki and Ellen would sing along with her angelic voice. A year later, Bill called Ellen and asked her if she loved him. She responded, “of course I do”. He replied, “Good… get ready… I’m picking you up with my motorcycle… we’re getting married today”. Ellen got ready and they got married that same day. Five years later, they welcomed their first daughter, Dorothy, into the world. A little over three years later, they welcomed their second daughter, Stephanie, to their growing family.

Bill and Ellen never stopped sharing their sweet music together, him playing his bouzouki and her singing along to one love song after another. They sing now in Heaven together with their daughter, Dorothy, and others whom they loved by their side. If you listen among the rustle of leaves in a forest, or the gentle wind blowing through a meadow, I’m sure you’ll hear the distant sound of their never-ending love.

Visitation Tuesday, November 4, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Cumberland Chapels 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge, IL. Friends and family will gather at the funeral home at 12:00 noon on Wednesday for a Greek Orthodox Service at 12:30 p.m. The interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in River Grove. For more information call (708)456-8300.