Former Streamwood trustee, movie extra mourned

Family and friends are mourning the loss of William “Billy G” Golembiewski, who not only served his Streamwood community as a onetime village trustee and member of charitable organizations, but also became a subtly familiar face through numerous roles as an extra in prominent movies and commercials.

Golembiewski, 69, died Sunday after suffering from multiple heart complications in the past year, said his wife of 47 years, Leeandra.

But his passion for life and his many interests and hobbies knew no bounds until his cardiac problems began to take their toll last June, she said.

“He was just a big guy — big-hearted and open-minded,” she said.

Golembiewski made his career in sales, especially real estate, which was where he devised his snappier nickname — “Billy G.”

“He loved people,” Leeandra said. “He loved the whole idea of sales.”

He also loved cars and motorcycles, a passion put on hold while their five children were young, then succeeded by snowmobiles and all-terrain vehicles.

It was while he brought one of his young daughters to a commercial audition that he — not she — was discovered as an on-screen talent.

He’s since been seen as a Chicago police officer in one of the early scenes of Harrison Ford’s “The Fugitive,” was a butcher in “Home Alone,” and played the eyes behind the door shutter of a Prohibition-era speakeasy in “The Babe.”

Among his many other films were “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” “Only the Lonely” and the remake of “Miracle on 34th Street.”

His most frequent roles were as background police officers or detectives. For one film he was chosen over two real policemen who were standing beside him, Leeandra said.

“He looked more like a police officer than a police officer!” she laughed.

Bill and Leeandra moved to Streamwood in 1969, where he served as a trustee for two terms from 1979 to 1987.

She said an interest in politics was in his blood since he grew up in Chicago, but after an unsuccessful run for Hanover Township trustee in 1996 he never pursued another bid for office.

“I think it was more of the service angle than the politics,” she said of the root of his interest.

He later served as president of the Streamwood Lions Club and a charter member of the Bartlett Rotary Club. Leeandra said Bill derived great satisfaction from helping those in need.

“It was such a wonderful example for our kids, who have also become very service-minded too,” she said.

Bill contracted a virus 14 years ago that gradually weakened his heart, but it never strongly affected his life or caused him to suffer either a heart attack or stroke until after he had a pacemaker installed last June.

Besides his wife and children, Bill is survived by four grandchildren, four siblings, numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be held from 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23 until the time of his service at 7:30 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home, 1640 Greenmeadows Blvd., in Streamwood. Please omit flowers.

Following services, cremation will be private at the Countryside Crematory.

For more information, call (630) 289-8054 or visit countrysidefuneralhomes.com.