Ex-funeral director case in Streator will be dismissed

A former Streator funeral director accused of theft has died and his case will be dismissed this week.

William “B.J.” Elias, 52, of Streator, died Thursday in OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington. The La Salle County State’s Attorney’s Office was alerted to his passing and planned to enter a dismissal order before the holiday break.

Elias was scheduled for trial in October on multiple felony counts of theft and violating the Illinois Funeral Funds Act, all alleging he misused “pre-need” funeral funds. However, the trial was indefinitely postponed because of health problems not disclosed in open court.