George (Bill) William Lehman Jr.

George William Lehman, Jr. (aka "Bill") age 88 of Phoenix passed away on June 16, 2023. He was born in Belton, Missouri on July 7, 1934. He attended Belton Elementary School for first grade, then to Center Elementary School in Kansas City, MO. Bill was an Eagle Scout in Troop 148 and a member of the Tribe of Mic-o-Say. He graduated from Center High School, Class of 1952. He was raised in the Methodist Church, but Bill converted to Catholicism on December 29, 1953. Bill was an organist and singer for daily Mass at St. Elizabeth's Catholic Church in Kansas City, MO for 14 years. On December 22, 1956, Bill married Irene K. Lehman. Bill received a music scholarship to Kansas City University. He transferred to Rockhurst College in 1954. He completed a B.S. degree in Education from Rockhurst College in 1956, a M.A. in English from Central Missouri State College, Warrensburg, MO in 1963 and an Education Specialist Degree at the Central Missouri State College, 1972. Bill taught English at Center High School, Northeast High School, St. Elizabeth's Grade School (7th grade boys), Westport High School, and Central High School (all in Missouri), was a language Arts Specialist fo...[more]

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itle III program, Southwest Missouri Curriculum Project, as well as teaching at Rockhurst High School from 1968-72. He was Superintendent-Principal at Sacred Heart School [K-12] in Sedalia, Missouri, 1972-76, Principal at Raymore-Peculiar Middle School, 1976-79, and a Sales Rep for EDL-McGraw Hill, 1979-80. In 1980, Bill and Irene moved to Arizona, where they remained. Upon the family's relocation to Arizona, Bill worked as the Assistant Principal, then Principal, at Tuba City High School, 1980-1984. Bill would later beoame a Founding Principal at Cactus Shadows High School in Cave Creek, Arizona from 1984-86. He returned to Tuba City High School as Assistant Principal/Principal from 1986-1990. He was a Principal at Saint Mary's High School in Phoenix, Arizona from 1991-2002. In June of 2002 he retired - for the first time! Then went on to teach reading at Orangedale Elementary in the Balsz School District from 2002-2005. He retired for the second time in August 2005, but then went on to teach for English and Reading at St. Mary's High School, 2005-2008. He also worked as a Substitute Teacher from 2008-10. Outside of his work in education, he was a member of St. Mary's Basilica Choral (professional), 1994-2003 and a member of Valley Chamber Chorale, 2006-present. Bill is survived by his wife and love of his life, Irene K. Lehman; daughter, Christine Ann Lehman (Stephen Petach), daughter Rebecca Denise Loechelt (Jon), and granddaughter Rachel Janice Loechelt. His son, Michael Stephen Lehman (married to Kimberly) of Lexington, KY, preceded him in death.