This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

School District 146's Wall of Fame Grows

Willie Palmer Added To Wall

School District 146 BOE meeting on Tuesday, March 12th included a moment of silence. Members and visitors looked on as a plaque with a photo of beloved former employee Willie Palmer was added to the district’s Wall of Fame.  Mr. Palmer was employed at Central Middle School as a Custodian from December 2002 until he retired from his full-time position in December 2005. He was working as a substitute custodian for the district at the time of his passing in December 2011.

His dedication and loyalty to the job, students and district were the reasons for this honor.  Nancy Schwab, Director of Curriculum said, “He never had an unkind word for anyone, always cheerful and just happy to be alive. He was a man of true faith.  He believed strongly in education, too.  He pushed his family to strive for the highest that they could achieve in academics. I miss him dearly to this day.”

At the time of his death Willie was doing what Willie did best, helping others.  He was a man in his middle 70’s and saw that a neighbor was in need of snow removal assistance.  Willie immediately began shoveling the woman out. Willie had a heart attack and passed away. Mrs. Schwab said, “Though so sad, his assisting others did not surprise me.  That was our Willie.  He was always there to help. He always put others before himself.”

Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Dr. Stawick, Superintendent of the D146 relayed his thoughts on Willie, “I was the Assistant Principal at Central Middle School, and had the pleasure to work with Willie for one year.  When I moved to my job as Principal in District 153, and then became Superintendent of the Steger School District 194, Willie came in to see me at both locations. He came for no other reason except to tell me congratulations and to see how I was doing. That was Willie.  He genuinely cared about you.  He remembered details that you told him, because he cared so much for people. He is so very deserving of this honor.”

Mr. Palmer’s dedication plaque was placed on the Wall of Honor alongside previous honorees, Mr. Larry Anderson and Dr. Marion Hoyda.

Find out what's happening in Tinley Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?