William "Bill" Cornelius

On August 12, 2016, William (Bill) passed away after a courageous battle with cancer. Bill is survived by his wife, Karen, four children (William Edward Cornelius III, Thomas Charles Cornelius, Katherine Reardon Clarke, and Caroline Louise Cornelius), and five grandchildren (William Edward Cornelius IV, Taylor Evan Cornelius, Andrew Quinn Clarke, Kristopher Nehil Clarke, and Thomas Reardon Clarke). Bill was born in Chicago, Illinois on May 20, 1931 to William and Everilde Cornelius. He grew up in Park Ridge with his older sister, Helen Louise. After graduating from Maine Township High School, Bill attended the University of Wisconsin. As a Badger, Bill joined Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and enrolled in ROTC. During his college days, Bill was also accepted to the Military Police Branch of the US Army. He graduated in June 1953 with a BS in economics and awaited orders for his assignment to active duty. During this time, Bill worked for a Chicago-based construction company where he helped lay runways at O'Hare International Airport. In July 1954, Bill was assigned to active duty in Korea where he served in the US Army's 288th Military Police Company as its Executive Officer. In May 1955, Bill returned to the US and attended Northwestern University Kellogg School of Business earning an MBA in Marketing in 1957. He remained in the Army Reserve until 1973 and received honorable discharge as a Major. In January 1958, Bill began a successful 37 year career at The Dow Chemical Company in Midland, Michigan. He began in the Chemicals Division selling private label anti-freeze. It was also at this time that Bill met Karen, who would become his wife of 57 years. After several promotions and transfers to Buffalo (NY), Chicago, and Midland, Bill was named Vice President, Dow Chemical Japan Limited. This unique opportunity gave Bill and his family the experience of a lifetime to live overseas and travel abroad. Bill and his family spent 3 years in Tokyo after which they returned to Midland where Bill finished his career with Dow as Director of Trade Policy and Director of Education Initiatives in the public Affairs Department. Throughout his career, Bill was active in the community volunteering his time and talent to many causes and organizations including Foster Care Review Board (Tri-County, Michigan) and the Michigan Business Leaders for Educational Excellence (Michigan Board of Education). He also served as Co-Chair of the United Way. Upon his retirement, Bill and Karen made the decision to move to sunny Florida. They made their new home in Venice at the Venice Golf & Country Club. During his retirement years, ""Mr. Bill"" enjoyed playing golf and gin-rummy with his many friends and was a regular at the fitness center. He also continued his community service as President of the Venice Golf & Country Club. Bill's passion about education and learning led to his establishing an annual college scholarship at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Visitation will be 5-7 PM, Tuesday, August 16, at Farley Funeral Home, Venice Chapel with Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM, Wednesday, August 17 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Tidwell Venice Hospice, Lighthouse for the Blind, or the Provident Foundation at Venice Golf and Country Club. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery. Visitation Information Date: Tuesday, August 16, 2016 Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Farley Funeral Home - Venice Chapel Address: 265 Nokomis Avenue South Venice, FL 34285 941-488-2291 | Map Service Information Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2016 Time: 10:30 am