Willliam Corliss, 83, died Wednesday, December 22, 2004 at Innovis Hospital, Fargo, North Dakota.

Funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 8, 2005 at United Methodist Church, Thief River Falls, MN, with Reverend Phil Schmidt officiating.

Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church, Saturday.

William S. Corliss was born December 10, 1921 at Carrington, ND, the son of Sherman William and Dat (Ashburner) Corliss. He grew up and attended high school in Winona, MN, graduating in 1941 and graduated Winona State Teachers College in 1948, with a Bachelor of Science Degree. He served in the United States Army Air Force from 1942"1946, when he was honorably discharged.

On October 30, 1949, William was united in marriage to Marjorie Schofield in Minneapolis, MN.

In 1949, he also graduated the University of Minnesota with a Masters Degree in Education. He was a teacher at Comfrey, MN from 1949-1950, principal at Estes Park, CO from 1950-1952, grade supervisor at Willmar, MN from 1952-1955, Director of Elementary Education at Wayzata, MN from 1955-1961 and Birmingham, MI from 1961-1966, Superintendent at Lincoln Park, MI from 1966-1968 and Monroeville, PA from 1968-1971 and also Superintendent at Thief River Falls, MN from 1971-1981. In 1981-1983, he was Supervisor of Program Development at Thief River Falls.

William served as Rotary President in Thief River Falls and was especially interested in Vocational Education and drop out children, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Board Member of Whos Who in American Education, MASA State Program Chairman, District President of MASA District, Chairperson of State Research Committee for curriculum in Michigan, Secretary, Chamber of Commerce in Wayzata, MN, Sunday School Teacher, Superintendent and Church Choir, member of MVA/AVA/MASA/MSBA/NSBA, listed in National Register of Educational Researchers, wrote approved State COE grant for academically able and was curling club treasurer.

His interests were bowling, golfing, curling, reading and all sports.

Survived by wife, Marjorie Corliss, Thief River Falls, MN; children: William (LuAnn), Tucson, AZ, Curtis (Georgia), Phoenix, AZ and Christopher (Marsha), Williams, AZ; grandchildren, Ophelia and Katherine; sister, Josephine Liebhaber, Rochester, MN and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by sisters, Betty at 4 years and Sybil Smith, brother, Paul.