William J. Schwartz, Jr.

William Joseph Schwartz Jr., 92, passed away Saturday, Nov. 26, 2011 at 11:56 p.m. at Villa Ventura Retirement Community. Bill was born in Wea, Kan. on Oct. 15, 1919 to William Joseph Schwartz and Anna Elizabeth Seuferling. He had four sisters, Margaret, Anna Mae, Mary and Leona, and one brother, James. He attended Wea High School, which he graduated from in May 1937. That December, Bill moved to Kansas City and began working for Wayne Paper Co. In May 1942, he enlisted and served in the Army during WWII in Europe as a member of the U.S. Army Field Artillery. He finished serving in February 1946 with the rank of captain. He was in the Army Reserve from December 1945 – Oct. 15, 1979, in which he achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel. After the war, Bill returned to Wayne Paper Co. On Dec. 31, 1960 he married Juanita Mae Albertson. They had two children, Bill and Mary Schwartz. In 1981, he retired from Wayne Paper Co. After he retired, he volunteered for Meals on Wheels, and worked for Broadway For Your Home and Ranch Mart Hardware. Bill loved his farm, gardening, his grandchildren and animals, especially dogs. On Nov. 8, 2011, he went to Washington, D.C. to see the WWII Memorial on the Honor Flight Network of Kansas City. Bill is survived by his brother, James; wife of 50 years, Juanita; children, Bill Schwartz and Mary Schwartz; daughter- in-law, Diane; and grandchildren, Rachel, Anne and Sara Schwartz. The visitation will be Tuesday, Nov. 29 from 5-7 p.m. at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, beginning with a rosary. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11822 Holmes Road. Donations can be made in his name to the Alzheimer's Association , 3846 W. 75 St., Prairie Village, Kan. To contact the association, call 913-831- 3888.