William W. Schooley

West Point, 1951

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Jose A. "Andy" Chacon on December 7, 2007:

William Wallace Schooley, Jr Born April 2, 1929 – Died November 12, 2007 William Wallace "Bill" Schooley, Jr. was born in Granite City, Illinois on 2 April 1929 and was appointed to West Point on a Senatorial Appointment. At West Point his classmates recall: "The worst thing about graduation is that is that many of us will no longer see such friends as Bill has proven to be. This native of Illinois has made himself a leader in every possible field during his stay here at the Academy. His greatest attribute, however, is his ability to get along with everyone he meets. In this he has been an example to all of us here at West Point. In or out of the Army, Bill is sure to become a great success." During his cadet days Bill went out for Baseball, Football, and Track. During his first class year he was a Cadet Lieutenant. On graduation Bill went in the Corps of Engineers and after completing the Basic Engineers Course, at Fort Belvoir, Virginia reported to the 6th Armored Division where he served from 1951 to 1952. His next assignment was to the 65th Engineer Combat Battalion, 25 Division in Korea from 1952 to 1953. On completion of his tour Bill was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for distinguished heroism against an enemy. On return to stateside Bill was assigned to the United States Engineer District in St. Louis, Missouri where he served until 1954 when he resigned his commission as a First Lieutenant. Bill then went back to school and earned an LLB degree from St. Louis University in 1957, and a Juris Doctor in 1971. In 1994 Bill returned to his home town and opened the Wm Schooley Law Offices and continues in the practice of Law. Bill resides in Granite City, Illinois. The Granite City Suburban Journals on November 28, 2007 reported: William Schooley Jr. Sunday, November 18, 2007 7:01 AM CST William W. Schooley Jr., 78, of Granite City, died at 8:45 a.m. Monday, Nov. 12, 2007, at Rosewood Care Center in Edwardsville. He was born on April 2, 1929, in Granite City. Mr. Schooley was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church; had his own practice as an attorney; graduated from West Point Military Academy; and was a U.S. Army Korean War veteran. He is survived by four sons, William W. Schooley III of Collinsville and Rick (Joyce) Schooley, Jack (Barb) Schooley and Thomas (Kathy) Schooley, all of Granite City; two daughters Cassie (Mark) Iken of Edwardsville and Billie Jo Schooley of Glen Carbon; and 14 grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents, Martha (Greene) Lengyel and William W. Schooley Sr.Private funeral services were held at Irwin Chapel in Granite City with the Rev. Larry Brunette officiating.Burial was in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Edwardsville. Memorials may be made to the Holy Family Catholic Church or Granite City School District 9 and will be accepted at the funeral home.

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