We are devastated to share that our beloved Simon De Dôdi Bilessi, age 17, passed away tragically in Middleton, WI. He and two of his best friends, Jack and Evan, were killed upon impact in a fiery car accident after being struck by another vehicle late Saturday night, on October 2. They were pronounced dead on October 3, 2021. Though words cannot describe the pain we feel for the loss of these three young lives, we are grateful that Simon was not alone when he died. He was with people he loved and that loved him.

Born on January 30, 2004, in Paris, France, Simon was the firstborn son of Aimé Franklin Bilessi and Alice Biyenga. He was the strength and hope for everything to his parents. At the age of 10, Simon left his family in France to live with his aunt and uncle and their three children in Raleigh, North Carolina. He came to a family whose son begged God and his parents for something they couldn’t give him, a baby brother. Immediately, he became the light in his new family. Not a cousin or nephew, Simon was embraced as a brother to Yemimah, John Levi, and Eunice, and a son to his parents Robert and Aline.

Simon will forever be loved by his family and friends. Simon was loving and kind to everyone he ever met. Simon attended Madison West High School where he was the captain of the soccer team. He was elected captain because his teammates saw his love, talent, and dedication to soccer. He was a member of the Rush Soccer Club where he played since his family moved to Wisconsin in 2016. In the fall of 2021 before his passing, he joined Wisconsin FC and was going to play for them in spring 2022. He lived for soccer. On Simon’s last birthday when his mother asked him what he wanted in the future, he replied he wanted to play soccer at the University of Wisconsin and hopefully, one day, go pro. Simon liked FIFA and video games, had great fashion sense, and loved shoes and music. Simon was a joyful, charismatic, easygoing, charming, funny, and handsome 17-year-old with a bright future. 

Simon was content with everything he had in his life. He never once complained about what he lacked. He never went to bed angry or held a grudge. He lived life to the fullest. Simon was looked up to and the hope of younger brothers, Samuel, Franklin, and Mont Fort, in France; he was a confidant to Eunice, a counselor to Yemimah, and John Levi’s prayed for little brother. Simon was a perfect gift.

Simon will forever be missed by his parents, his siblings, and extended family and friends.

A Funeral Service for Simon will be held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, October 9, 2021 at HIGH POINT CHURCH, 7702 Old Sauk Rd., Madison, WI 53717. 

There will also be a Joint Celebration of Life for Simon Bilessi, Jack Miller and Evan Kratochwill on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at the MIDDLETON HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 2100 Bristol St., Middleton, WI 53562.

To view and sign Simon's guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.