- Date Of Birth: January 19, 1925
- Date Of Death: January 10, 2007
- State: Illinois
William A. Fortschneider, 81 years, of Anna, TX and formerly of Jacksonville, IL died Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Dallas, TX.
He was born January 19, 1925 in Golden Eagle, IL; the son of Steve and Hortense Wallendorf Fortschneider. He married Carlene L. Jones on June 14, 1947 and she preceded in death on December 25, 1996.
He is survived by his second wife, Sherilyn Godfrey (a 1961 graduate of Jacksonville High School) of Anna, TX; a son, David Fortschneider of Sebastopol, CA; a daughter, Joan Fortschneider of Champaign, IL; a grandson, Christopher Fortschneider of San Gabriel, CA; a brother, Leo Fortschneider of Surfside, SC; three nieces; three nephews; and his wife’s sons and grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Elden Fortschneider.
Mr. Fortschneider was a decorated World War II veteran who served with the 76th Division of the 3rd Army under General George S. Patton in Europe. Upon discharge from the US Army, he returned to Brussels, IL to work on his family farm for one year and subsequently enrolled in the University of Illinois College of Agriculture in 1947. He received his B.S. degree in agriculture, majoring in agriculture education in June of 1950. He received his M.S. degree in education and administration from UIUC in 1954 and Advanced Certificate degree in agriculture and agriculture education in 1980. Additionally, he pursued continuing graduate studies at Illinois State University in Normal and Southern Illinois University.
Mr. Fortschneider began his teaching career in 1950 at his alma mater Brussels Community High School in Brussels, IL, continuing there until 1960. From 1960-1985, he was the vocational agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, IL. During his 25 years of service, his FFA Chapter received State Gold Emblem and Silver Emblem Awards annually as well as National Gold and Silver Emblem Awards for several of those years. He was most proud of the fact that his FFA Chapter had 100 percent membership throughout his career at JHS. The chapter also received a number of State and American Farmer awards, with Mr. Fortschneider receiving the State Honorary FFA Degree in 1976 and being named Honorary American Farmer in 1978.
Upon his retirement in 1985, Mr. Fortschneider enjoyed traveling and spending time with his family and friends. He also worked part time for the Blackhawk Restaurant, Elliott State Bank, and Holiday Inn, all in Jacksonville. He was a former member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Jacksonville. A member of the American Legion, he faithfully wrote letters to the men and women serving our country. He relocated to Plano, TX in 1998.
