MOUNT GREENWOOD — William "Bill" Spelz was excited about being inducted into Leo Catholic High School's Hall of Fame tonight. Instead he'll be buried this afternoon at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in suburban Alsip.
Spelz, 87, of Mount Greenwood died Monday — less than a week before he was be honored. He is survived by his children: Kathryn Pranske, William E. Spelz and Denise Miletich. His wife, Marlene, died of a heart attack in 2003.
His funeral begins at 10:15 a.m. today at the Beverly Ridge Funeral Home at 10415 S. Kedzie Ave. in Mount Greenwood. A Mass will follow at 11 a.m. at St. Christina Church at 11005 S. Homan Ave. in Mount Greenwood.
Spelz graduated from the all-boys Catholic high school in Auburn Gresham in 1949. According to his daughters, he was “so excited” and “so looking forward to” his induction into the Leo High School Hall of Fame Friday.
Kathy Pranske will accept the honor on behalf of her father, Leo spokesman William Figel said.
In 1948 and 1949, Spelz led Leo to the "lightweight" city basketball championship — named for a separate varsity league for high schoolers 5-foot-9 or shorter. He was actually cut from the team his freshman and sophomore years. But his point guard play as an upperclassman earned him an invite to play at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.
Spelz opted to enlist in the Navy instead. He later worked 34 years in radio dispatch for the Chicago Police Department and as an electrician, raising his family near Mount Greenwood Park.
An only child of German and Irish immigrants, Spelz was also an avid dancer, placing first with Kathy Pranske in the in the jitterbug dance contest at Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School her freshman and senior years.
“I’m going to miss my dad as a dance partner at weddings,” Pranske said in a written release from Leo.
Leo's 62nd annual alumni association banquet begins at 6:30 pm. with cocktails. Dinner begins at 7:30 p.m. The event typically draws upward of 650 people and will be held at Chateau Del Mar at 8301 W. 95th St. suburban Hickory Hills.
A ticket costs $70 in advance or $80 at the door. For more information, contact banquet ticket chairman John Gardner at 708-989-2727 or via email at johnggardner@gmail.com.
