Brian was born in Duluth, Minnesota on February 22, 1942 to Victor and Alice Bilyeu. He was always very proud to share his birthday with the 1st President of the United States. Brian was born 3 weeks early, and was so tiny his dad could hold him in one hand. His first home was a one-room log cabin, with no running water, no indoor "facilities" and no electricity. A year later his brother Sam was born and then with the arrival of his sister Patricia, the family was complete. Brian grew up playing in the woods and fields of Minnesota and had a life-long love of the outdoors. Brian loved to recount different stories of his youth in Minnesota like running into a bear in the blueberry patch, or finding cute black "kittens" with white stripes down their backs, or terrifying his mother by bringing a snake into the kitchen. As a child with quick reflexes he saved his sister Patty's life, after she fell into a river, by catching a hold of her hair as she floated by. Brian had a vivid imagination and was an avid reader beginning with his dad's westerns at age 6 and continuing his whole life. He voluntarily read the entire encyclopedia in grade school, and rarely went out without a book. His family moved to Milton Freewater in 1957 and on to Cascade Locks in 1958 where his mother taught, and Brian graduated from high school. While there Brian played football and, together with his brother Sam and their Studebaker "Tragedy", bedeviled the local police on Saturday nights. After high school Brian joined the Army and went to Texas. Upon discharge, thanks to the GI Bill, he was able to attend Portland State College. This is where he met Molly playing Pinochle in the cafeteria. He graduated in 1969 with a BA in History and a Teaching Certificate. The plan was to teach high school, but jobs were scarce. So he turned to bus driving and stayed for 34 years. By the time he retired from Trimet he was the Chief Station Agent of the Merlo garage. Brian began volunteering with the Portland Police Reserves while still in college. He was a reserve Police officer for more than 25 years and retired at the rank of captain. While in the reserves, among other things, he served on the security detail for three United States Presidents. Brian and Molly married in 1965 and had their girls Becky, Betsy, Amy and Heather over the next ten years. He raised his daughters to believe they could do anything they wanted, to think independently and be self-sufficient. He also was delighted to have two granddaughters Grace and Harper, upon whom he doted. Brian always said marrying Molly was the smartest thing he ever did, and no one ever disagreed with him. Brian became a member of St. David of Wales in 1971 and was confirmed there. He was a steadfast congregant for decades and served on the vestry under several priests. Brian was a sportsman, and avid motorcycle rider who loved to spend time at his beach home in Gearhart. He also loved picnics, regardless of the elements. When he was younger Brian and Molly rode their motorcycle all over the Northwest and into Canada several times. He was ahead of the curve recycling, grinding his own coffee beans by hand and making beer at home in the 80's. Brian liked baseball and after retirement traveled to some of the oldest parks in the major leagues. He and Molly made one big trip to England where he could soak up some history first hand. Brian died on February 21, 2014 after an accident. He will be missed for his humor, his curiosity, his bushy beard, his wonderful hugs, his empathy and his moments of unexpected childish delight in the simplest things.