William Frederick Weitzel Jr.

Bill spent his early years in Baltimore, MD and Denver, CO, and high school years in Greensboro, NC. He joined the Navy during the Korean War separating from active duty and marrying Elizabeth Nesmith in 1957. Bill graduated from Wheaton College (BA Psychology), University of Illinois (MA Labor & Industrial Relations) and Wayne State University (PhD Industrial Psychology). His 30-year academic career included being a professor in higher education at The University of Minnesota, North European Management Institute (NEMI) in Oslo, Norway and The University of Oklahoma where he retired as Professor Emeritus in 1996. During this time, he authored numerous academic publications and one book. His business career included extensive management consulting with companies, corporations and government agencies, as well as being the Vice President of Target Stores and a Senior Manager (elected Partner in 1983) at Peat Marwick (now KPMG). After retirement from his professorship, Bill served as CEO of Oklahoma City Public Schools and then Superintendent. Throughout his career Bill helped many leaders address business problems directly and through seminars and workshops, advised numerous graduate students, and received formal honors as an outstanding teacher.

Bill was a larger-than-life personality with an infectious laugh and charming smile. He shared generously. He traveled extensively, both domestically and internationally. Bill was an enthusiastic sports fan and athlete; he enjoyed playing basketball in his younger years and golf throughout his life and supporting his favorite college and professional teams. His passion for intellectual inquiry and stimulating discussion called others to rise to their best and clearest thinking. Irrespective of the topic, having a well-informed, well-formulated synthesis of all the facts, in context, referenced with reliable sources was best when conversing with Bill as he was always that prepared. His favorite subject matters spanned the domains of human behavior, sociology, political issues and conflicts, analysis of the role of religion in human behavior and society, and many other social and behavioral topics. Bill described his theological perspective as being “raised in the Abrahamic sect – Christianity” . . . [where he] . . . “attempted to live life according to the values, principles, and ethics of its founders – ancients and contemporaries.” He eagerly ventured into disciplines less in line with his academic training which required him to study intensively, i.e., the recent advances in life sciences, molecular genetics, and cosmology. In his last years he focused on the importance of building honest, caring relationships, and pursued greater self-awareness and depth of understanding while considering current issues and emergent scientific discoveries. Stimulating interactions and challenging discussions with friends and family were the source of his greatest enjoyment.

Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Pauline Elizabeth Nesmith Weitzel, children, Dr. William Frederick (Rick) Weitzel, III (Cheryl Ann Muzyl) and Reta Louise Weitzel Gilmore; grandchildren Matthew Edward Weitzel (Molly Logue), Sharon Elizabeth (Shel) Millington (James Daves), William James Millington, Alexander John Weitzel, and Anne Marie Weitzel; sister, Carol Weitzel Kohfeld (John Sprague) and brother, Edward George Weitzel (Nomiki Bouloubassis). He was predeceased by his grandson William Frederick (Eric) Weitzel, IV.

A graveside service for Bill will be held Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Greenlawn Cemetery, 4300 Beach Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32207. A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 PM in Saint Augustine, FL.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to a charity of your choice.

One of Bill’s favorite charities is World Neighbors, Oklahoma City: www.wn.org/donate.

Another charity which was important to Bill is the prisoner re-entry program in St. Augustine. You may write the check to Compassionate St Augustine and the memo line needs to say For Prisoner Re-entry Services SJC. Mail to Compassionate St. Augustine, 115 Washington Street, St. Augustine, FL 32084.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemorialParkOKC.com for the Weitzel family.