William J. Schultz Jr.

PITTSFIELD -- William J. Schultz Jr., 85, of 4280 6th Lane Southwest, Vero Beach, Fla., formerly of Pittsfield, died Friday at VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach. He was a nationally renowned artist, and a teacher.

Born in Pittsfield on March 24, 1919, son of William J. Schultz Sr. and Lucy A. Menard Schultz, he was a 1938 graduate of St. Joseph's High School. He began his art studies as a teen with the late Martin C. Hoy, who taught at the former Boys' Club, and studied under other nationally known artists.

He also studied commercial art at Rochester (N.Y.) Institute of Technology until World War II, and later graduated with honors in 1948 from Vesper George School of Art in Boston, returning in 1964 to give the graduation address. He moved to Vero Beach in 1986.

An Army veteran of World War II, he served with anti-aircraft artillery units in the United States and in Belgium for four years.

Mr. Schultz operated the William J. Schultz Art School and Studio on the Pittsfield-Lenox Road, and in Vero Beach, for many years. He also kept a portrait and commercial art studio on North Street, and taught art at the former Cranwell School in Lenox, the Boys' Club, the Berkshire Museum and the Catholic Youth Center. He also conducted art seminars, workshops, and lectures across the country and at the Bethel Creek House in Vero Beach. He retired from teaching in 2003.

He was a founding director of the American Impressionist Society and a master pastelist of the Pastel Society of America. His oil paintings, pastels and drawings won numerous awards, including the PSA's Pope Award, and were exhibited locally and nationally.

A former communicant of St. Joseph's Church, he was a communicant of St. Helen's Church in Vero Beach.

He and his wife, the former Nadya Stevens, were married Dec. 2, 1980, in St. Ann's Church in Lenox.

Besides his wife, he leaves a stepdaughter, Diane Morrison of Las Vegas; a stepson, Michael Stevens of Vero Beach; a brother, Edward G. Schultz of Orlando, Fla.; two sisters, Eleanor S. Philippe of Sanford, Maine, and Blanche S. Jandro of Pittsfield, and five stepgrandchildren.

FUNERAL NOTICE -- William J. Schultz, 85, formerly of Pittsfield, died Feb. 4, 2005. Bill also leaves his sister-in-law, Frances Schultz of Orlando, and his two brothers-in-law, George Jandro of Pittsfield and Alfred Philippe of Sanford. He was a greatly admired and beloved uncle of 33 nieces and nephews, many of whom reside in Pittsfield. He was predeceased by three brothers, Francis J., Albert J. and Paul L. Schultz, and by two sisters, Mary Launt and Ann Lambert. The family plans a Liturgy of Christian Burial at a later date at St. Joseph's Church in Pittsfield and interment of his ashes in St. Joseph's Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. A notice will be given in The Eagle when a date is set. Memorial donations may be made to VNA Hospice House, 901 37th St., Vero Beach, FL, or to the Pittsfield Boys' and Girls' Club in care of DERY FUNERAL HOME, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, MA 01201, which is in charge of arrangements.