George W. "Bill" SCHLEIFER

1924 - 2014

SCHLEIFER, Lt. Col. George W. "Bill"Lt. Col. George W. "Bill" Schleifer, retired U.S.A.F., passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2014 in Austin, TX after a long and valiant struggle against cardio-pulmonary related illnesses. Bill spent a happy afternoon on Saturday with many family members including wife, children and grandchildren. He was preparing for supper with many of the same loved ones on Sunday when his tired body could not respond another time. Bill had attained the age of 90 years, 5 months and 29 days.Bill was born on January 28, 1924 in Washington County, IL the son of George E. and Gladys A (Powell) Schleifer. He was united in marriage to Betty Cantrell on June 29, 1946 in Plainfield, IN. and she survives his passing.As were many of his generation, Bill was proud of his military service beginning in World War II and continuing until his retirement in 1969. He was a pilot and an instrument flying instructor during and after the war. His final assignment in service to his country was as chief administrator for the Air Force's top-secret photo interpreters' school at Offutt AFB, NE. Bill enjoyed a second career as an administrator in the Westside School District in Omaha from 1969 until retirement in 1989. While there, he pioneered in secondary school computer-assisted scheduling technologies that are still in place today. He made many friends in Omaha and continued weekly rounds of golf with his buddies until he and Betty moved to Austin in 2009. Golf was not Bill's only passion. He was a past member of the Palomino Horse Breeders of America. He owned and showed Palomino and Quarter horses for many years. He loved to travel; he, Betty and Lori spent thousands of hours driving to shows all across this country. Bill was an avid life-long fisherman and held numerous adventures to remote fly-in lakes in Canada among his favorite memories. Above all else, he was proud of every one of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were foremost in his thoughts during his every waking hour. He did his best to attend as many graduations and other ceremonies as he could whether they were in Carson City, Salt Lake City, Austin or Omaha. He cherished and kept thousands of pictures of his family and stories of their successes. He loved them all as we did him. Daddy-- Grandpa-- will be missed for as long as we have memories of our own.He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Betty (nee Cantrell); a son George W. Schleifer II (Karen Moore) of Wimberley, TX; 3 daughters, Louise Lee Hogen (Rory) of Carson City, NV, Alisa Marie Graff (John) of Austin, and Lori Beth Bucholz (Frederick) of Omaha, NE; 2 sisters, Martha Ann Jessup and Patricia Jeanette Brainerd. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and a sister Waneta.Graveside services will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Nashville, IL on Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 10 AM. Those wishing to attend are asked to go directly to the cemetery.Friends may call at the Campagna Funeral Home in Nashville, IL on Wednesday from 5 PM until 7 PM.Should friends desire memorials can be made to the American Heart Association and will be accepted by the Campagna Funeral Home.Online expressions of sympathy can be made at www.campagnafuneralhomes.com.