SALT LAKE CITY -The Judge Memorial Catholic High School Annual Academics and Activities Awards Celebration May 23 included a very special presentation. An honorary diploma was presented to William O’Reilly, who would have been a 1946 graduate of the school if not for his enlistment in the United States Navy during World War II. "It’s a great honor; my classmates probably said he left at his junior year," said O’Reilly, who turned 18 halfway through his junior year at Judge. Two of his friends were drafted, and he joined them in the service in May 1945 by enlisting in the United States Navy. He served in the Pacific Theater, working in Okinawa and Japan. After he was discharged, he came home to Salt Lake City, hoping to return to his studies at Judge Memorial to earn his high school diploma. Unfortunately, a drunk driver hit O’Reilly; his leg was severely injured. He underwent several surgeries in order not to lose the leg. "William never stop trying to get back to Judge, but the surgeries took place at the same time of the exams at Judge, so he couldn’t graduate there," said his wife, Gloria O’Reilly, to whom he has been married for 59 years. Nevertheless, he continued to believe in the value of a Catholic eduction. O’Reilly and his wife sacrificed, scrimped and saved to send their children to school at Judge. He then had the even greater joy of seeing grandchildren graduate from Judge. "A lot of people don’t understand what a lot of people have given up, and one of them is my dad," said Bryan O’Reilly, one of his four sons, who attended Judge Memorial. For more than 65 years, O’Reilly has remained loyal to his alma mater, attended Bulldog sporting and activity events throughout the decades. "We are all very proud of him; it’s very special for us that he received this diploma. He is very humble. He thinks that he did what he had to do at the time. He doesn’t think he did anything special," said Bryan O’Reilly. On hand to see William O’Reilly receive his diploma were his wife, sons, grandchildren and friends. "It is an honor and a privilege to present this diploma to Mr. O’Reilly and to celebrate with his family," said Marianne K. Bartman, director of communications at Judge Memorial Catholic High School. "This is a fitting tribute to a true gentleman who has given so much to his family, to his school, and to his country." The honorary diploma was presented to O’Reilly by Rick Bartman, principal at Judge Memorial, on behalf of the faculty, staff, and students. The diploma reads in part: "Be it known that the faculty, staff, and students of this high school recognize this student for his commitment, integrity, and service, and therefore, take great pride in awarding this Judge Memorial Catholic High School honorary diploma to William A. O’Reilly." " We love him and admire him. He gave us all the opportunities he never had; we are very proud of him and we feel very lucky to still have him because we now appreciate what he and my mom did and gave up for us," Bryan O’Reilly said about his father.
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