World War II Bombardier, Educator and Arborist William Henry Grede Dies At Age 96

PALOS PARK, IL -- One of Palos Park’s most interesting and active citizens passed away at age 96 on July 29. William “Bill” Henry Grede was a navigator and bombardier in World War II, a high school teacher and, later, spearheaded some of the first instructional, accredited college courses to be broadcasted across the TV airwaves in Chicago. Grede was also skilled arborist.

The son of a candy store owner, Grede was born on Jan. 6, 1921 on Chicago’s South Side. He grew up at 8044 S. Wabash Ave. The youngest of three brothers (Philip and John), Grede met the love of his life in the fourth grade, Doris Evelyn Larson, who would eventually become his wife and lifelong partner. He graduated from Calumet High School, and with the help of his hardworking parents who owned a candy store and catering business, he enrolled in the University of Chicago. There, young Bill earned a bachelor of science degree in political science, and later, a master’s in education.

World War II called many young men, and Grede was no exception. Enlisting in the US Army Air Corps, he studied to become a navigator and bombardier. He was assigned to the 34th Squadron, 17th Wing, where he completed 60 missions and earned 11 Air Clusters, an Air Medal, Purple Heart and Croix de Guerre for actions taken over Africa and Western Europe. He possessed an uncanny ability to navigate long distances. During the war, when his plane was delayed leaving the states, Grede navigated the B-26 alone from the continental United States to Brazil for refueling, then off to Africa across the Atlantic. Of course, no GPS or much more than a rudimentary radio were available, he solo navigated his plane across the Atlantic using only airspeed, apparent drift, and the stars, crossing the Moroccan border within 12 miles from the intended landfall. Other missions followed including many in Sardinia, Italy, France, and Germany.

Returning to Chicago, in 1946 Grede married his childhood sweetheart, Doris, in the University of Chicago Bond Chapel. Grede continued his master’s program, while his wife worked. After graduating, Grede developed a floral delivery business, growing to seven trucks and enlisting all the friends and relatives he could during busy holidays. Realizing this was a lot of work which left no time for a family, Bill and Doris sold the business and he entered the education field. First teaching at Carver High School in South Chicago (where one of his students, Cazzie Russell, played a bit of basketball), he then moved to WTTW (Channel 11 - PBS) where he became Dean of Instructional TV, or “distance learning.” With the City Colleges of Chicago he helped to provide some of the first instructional, college accredited course broadcasts to residents throughout Chicago, including inmates at the Statesville Correctional Center in Joliet, where he was pleased to present certificates of course completion and diplomas.

Grede was also equally active in the Palos area. He was elected to the District 118 School Board, and then became board president following his reelection. He initiated the “Seniors on Patrol,” a program of the Palos Park Police Department. Chief Joe Miller called Grede a pioneering community builder and activist and a forerunner and visionary in police community relations. As a long-time advocate for for community involvement and accountability, Grede founded the COPS program in 2000, which was awarded the Cook County Crime Stoppers annual community award in September 2009.

“He often focused on ways to get people involved in their community,” Miller said. “He was an advocate for people coming together to for the betterment and safety of their community. Bill Grede held us all accountable ensuring that we all did better and were better.”

As a long time teacher, Grede started the COPS Cadet Scholarship program to help cadets pay for their college courses and study criminal justice. He was also an ardent arborist, researching, donating and planting many varieties of trees at Palos Park’s Community Center Foundation and Children’s Farm. His platings continue as a living monument to his love of nature. The University of Chicago Alumni Foundation likewise benefited from his involvement and fundraising. In the mid-1970’s he fulfilled a lifelong dream and obtained his Private Pilot’s license, which was followed up with an Instrument Rating, a mark of technical excellence.

Doris and Bill enjoyed many trips, visiting all of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the South Pacific. Grede strongly believed that travel is the best education one can have. As time moved on, the couple decided to relocate from Palos Park to California, to be closer to their only son, David, his daughter Kathryn, and most recently, his great-granddaughter Serena. In California, they enjoyed the weather, and remained astonished about the cost of everything and the traffic congestion. In 2012, Bill lost the love of his life, Doris, but remained in California, always wishing to one day returning to Palos Park. And so, today, the circle is complete, and he has returned.

Grede will be lying in state Saturday, Aug. 12, from 10 a.m. until the the time of service at 11 a.m. at Palos Park Presbyterian Community Church, 12312 S. 88th Ave. Palos Park, IL. Interment is at Fairmount Willow Hills Memorial Park Cemetery, Willow Springs, IL. Arrangements entrusted to Schmaedeke Funeral Home, 708-448-6000.

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