George Willy

Faculty Member/Administrator 1942-1967 George Willy served OTHS from 1942-1967 as a faculty member and administrator. He became Assistant Principal, serving under Principal MacRae Shannon in 1954 while continuing to teach an advanced woodshop class. During his tenure as an administrator, the titles of the Assistant Principal and Principal were changed to Principal and Superintendent, respectively. He delayed his retirement to serve for two years as Interim Superintendent following the death of Superintendent Shannon. He attended the Nebraska State Teachers College at Peru, Nebraska, earning a bachelor of arts degree in 1924. In 1941, George Willy received a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska. He played football in high school and his skills drew the attention of a local businessman who offered to pay for his tuition, books, and fees if he would attend the Nebraska State Teachers College and play football there. As he began his career in 1924, first as a teacher and later as Principal in Wilber, Nebraska, he continued playing football in Nebraska’s semi-professional barnstorming leagues in the 1920’s and 1930’s.