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William R. Etherton of Arlington Heights A memorial service for William Raymond "Ray" Etherton, 97, of Church Creek in Arlington Heights, formerly a 69 year resident of Northbrook, will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 27, at the Village Presbyterian Church, Northbrook. Born June 24, 1905, in Murphysboro, Ill., the son of William H. and Mary (nee Wittbart) Etherton, he passed away on Good Friday, April 18, 2003, at Northwest Community Healthcare, Arlington Heights. Interment will be in the garden of the Village Presbyterian Church. Mr. Etherton graduated from Murphysboro High School in 1923, received his bachelor's degree in 1930 from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, and received his master's degree in 1942 from Northwestern University. He began his teaching career at Henry County High School, where he taught from 1925 to 1929. He was then the first teacher hired to start Northbrook High School in 1930, where he taught history, English and was the basketball coach from 1930 to 1940. During this time he won four district championships. He also won the Cook County championship in 1937, beating a team coached by his own father. He was named principal of Northbrook High School in 1945, and remained there until 1951. In 1951 he became the assistant county superintendent of schools for Cook County, where he worked until his retirement in 1968. Mr. Etherton never missed a day of work in all those years. He received a plaque from the Cook County superintendent for 42 years of outstanding service to the schools in Illinois. In 1970, Ray was elected to the City of Chicago Hall of Fame. In 1996, the Northbrook Civic Association honored him for his volunteer service to the people of Northbrook and the Northbrook Historical Association. He was the father of Richard G. (JoAnne) Etherton and Patricia (Bruce) Bain; grandfather of Eric (Carol) Etherton, Lisa (John) Curtin and Thomas (Debbie), William (Lisa) and Robert Bain; and great-grandfather of nine. He was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Bernice Blackert Etherton, in 1998. Arrangements made by Friedrichs Funeral Home, Mount Prospect. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Village Presbyterian Church of Northbrook, 1300 Shermer Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. Friends may visit www.dailyherald.com/obits to express condolences and sign the guest book. For funeral information, (847)255-7800 or www.FriedrichsFH.com.
Published in Chicago Suburban Daily Herald from April 20 to April 24, 2003
Type: Public Announcement
Date: 2003-04-20
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