William J. “Bill” Brinkley, 77, of McLeansboro, died at 9:44 p.m. on Tuesday, June 15, 1999, at his home.
He was a retired school teacher and owner of Brinkley Interiors and Galleries.
He was born on December 8, 1921, in Shawneetown, a son of William Henry and Frances (Leath) Brinkley. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Vernon.
Mr. Brinkley received a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois and a master’s degree from Stetson University in Florida. He returned to Hamilton County and taught agriculture at McLeansboro High School from 1945 to 1994, was vocational coordinator from 1968 to 1994 and was the advisor to the Future Farmers of America.
He was also a member of the Hamilton County Bicentennial Committee, a member and chairman of the Board of’ Rehabilitation, committees of McCoy Memorial Library, the Hamilton County Historical Society, Friends of Mitchell Museum in Mt. Vernon, Hamilton-Jefferson Counties Comprehensive Services, Hamilton County Republican Committee, the Board of Trustees of Trade Industries, the NEA, Illinois Education Association, the Gallatin County Historical Society, the Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers, the Rend Lake Symphony Society, Arts and Humanities Society, Cedarhurst Dinner Theater Club, Hereditary Register of the U. S., SAR Citizenship Committee, Phi Beta Kappa, Delta Sigma Phi, the Elks Lodge, Masonic Lodge, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club and Rotary Club.
He was a deacon of the Presbyterian Church in 1995. He received the Teacher of the Year Award from the University of Illinois in 1963, the Distinguished Service Award in Vocational Education in 1.981, the Merit Award from the governor of Illinois in 1964, the Distinguished Service Award from the Future Farmers of America in 1967, the Thor Award for Outstanding Service in 1972, the FFA Distinguished Service Award in 1968, the George Washington Medal of Honor from the Freedom Foundation of America, the Outstanding Vocational Education Award from the State Vocational Education Service in 1981 and the Presbyterian Service Award in 1984.
The funeral was at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 18, 1999, at IOOF Cemetery in McLeansboro. The Rev. Joel Whiteside officiated, and Dick Deitz delivered the eulogy. Entombment was in the family mausoleum. Arrangement were by Harre Funeral Home.
He is survived by a brother-in-law. Louis Schwarm and wife Joyce of Marion, and several nieces and nephews.
He preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Venita Joyce (Schwarm) Brinkley, who died on March 31, 1997.
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Vernon.