William F. Scholtes

William Francis Scholtes

“Bill”

Age 98, passed away peacefully January 9, 2022 at his home.  Born June 20, 1923 in Joliet, IL, William was the son of the late Nicholas and Barbara (Fonck) Scholtes. William devoted his life to his family.  He was a loving, generous, and selfless soul.

William Scholtes was a life-long resident of Joliet, IL, a graduate of the Guardian Angel Home 1936, Joliet Catholic High School, 1940. He married his soul mate and the love of his life, Dorothy Setina, on July 5th, 1944 in Joliet, and devoted his life to her and their four children.  They shared 56 loving years together.

William worked for Joliet Warehouse and Transfer Company as a billing clerk from 1938 until he was drafted in 1943.

From 1943-46, William proudly served the U.S. Army during World War II assigned to the Military Railway Service.  He was a train dispatcher with the 724th Railway Operating Battalion, Headquarters Company, in Paris, France attaining the rank of Tech Sergeant.
William was called up June 30, 1950 to serve with the U.S. army Chemical Corps, 69th Chemical Smoke Generator Company in Korea from 1950-52, attaining the rank of First Lieutenant. Lt. Scholtes was especially honored to join fellow veterans on an Honor Flight to Washington, DC on August 4, 2010.

He dedicated a forty year career to the Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America from 1946 to 1986.
He was a life member of Cantigny Post V.F.W. #367.

Bill was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who put his family before anything else.  He will be remembered as a true family man.  His greatest joy in life was his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Bill coached and managed several St. Joseph’s Park Little League teams, including a Championship team in 1960. He loved to fix things and ‘tinker’. He could design and build almost anything. His ever-skillful hands and quick mind could craft any item. A graduate of the Joliet School of Electronics, he enjoyed repairing televisions and other appliances for family and friends. He helped his son, Nick, run Master Clock Repair.  Bill was a crossword puzzle enthusiast, and many sought his expertise. For many years he enjoyed having morning coffee with “the guys.” His devotion to his family was his biggest hobby and most loved accomplishment.

Loving father of Paul (Mary Kay) Scholtes of Plattville, Jean (Gary) Zielinski of Joliet, Luanne Burns of Minooka, Nicholas (Stacey) Scholtes of Joliet; proud grandfather of William (Ann) Scholtes, Katherine (Zach) Raeber, and Joseph (Cary) Scholtes; Gail (Chris) Weber; Valerie (Drew) Cathers, Celeste Burns (Tom Hardin), and Michael (Nikki) Burns; Morgan and Marlo Scholtes; great grandchildren Kaylee Scholtes, Leah Weber, Luke Weber, Charlie Hardin and dear and devoted friends Richard  and Georgia Lenzen.  Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Preceded in death by his beloved wife Dorothy (2001), granddaughters Marie (2009) and Laura (1984) Zielinski,  siblings Ferdinand (Mary),  Nicholas (Josephine), Catherine (George) Korell, Sr. M. Barbara,  O.S.F., Peter (Virginia), August (Anna Mae), Henry (Gladys), Agnes (John) Lawnzak, and Joseph. Also sisters-in-law Genevieve (Henry) Graf, Beatrice (Douglas) Krause. Joan (Walter) Kerwin, and brother-in-law Michael (Marilyn) Setina.

The family will receive relatives and friends for a visitation on Saturday, January 15, 2022 from 9:00 a.m. until time of closing prayers beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Tezak Funeral Home, 1211 Plainfield Road in Joliet. The funeral will then drive in procession to the Cathedral of St. Raymond for a Mass of Christian Burial beginning at 11:30 a.m. Internment with military honors will follow and William will be laid to rest at St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Joliet.