Brother William Woeger left his imprint in art, buildings, liturgies and lives

Dedicated, talented, dependable, kindhearted, special.

That’s how people described Christian Brother William Woeger, who died unexpectedly Dec. 17 while in Connecticut. He was 79.

Brother William Woeger is being remembered for his contributions to the archdiocese and elsewhere as an artist, iconographer, liturgist, teacher, church designer and more. His skills were vast, and so was his compassion, those who knew him said. Many of their comments and memories are posted below.

Solemn Vespers will be prayed at St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha on Wednesday, Jan. 1, at 7 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be offered 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, at the cathedral.

Brother William was a member of the Christian Brothers for 61 years, receiving his religious habit in 1963 in Glencoe, Missouri, and pronouncing perpetual vows in 1970 in St. Louis.

Survivors include his sister, Marjory Malarkey; nephews Don Roach, John Roach, Bill Roach and Bill Parlon; nieces Joyce Parlon and Laura Snyder; and the Christian Brothers of the Midwest.

Here’s what people had to say about Brother William:

Archbishop George J. Lucas

“One of my choicest blessings since coming to Omaha has been my association with Brother William. We have a beautiful cathedral, thanks to the faith and sacrifices of our spiritual ancestors. It remains beautiful and vibrant today thanks in great part to Brother William, who loved every stone, statue and window. Many of us will miss him; many more will continue to be inspired by his legacy.”

Christian Brothers of the Midwest

“Brother William Anton, (William John Woeger) was able to turn nothing into something.  He had an incredible vision for worship spaces and was able to implement that vision in parishes, cathedrals, and religious houses across the country – all the way to Hawaii.

William was a creator.  He was also a master liturgist and spent nearly 40 years serving St. Cecilia Cathedral in Omaha, Nebraska, as chief liturgist for the Archdiocese. While there he also created the Cathedral Arts program that continued to flourish under his leadership until recently when he handed the reins to other talented persons.

One of his most well-known liturgical design projects was the Crystal Cathedral in Orange, California.  Archbishop Lucas in his message to William on the occasion of his Golden Jubilee said, ‘William is now in the Crystal era of life.’

The icon of the Founder that hangs in our provincial office was created by William and that image is internationally displayed in schools, Brothers’ communities, and on our prayer cards. Brother William Woeger frequently wrote icons to be prayed in the liturgical spaces he designed. As St. John Baptist de La Salle, founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools said, so our Brother William said, ‘I adore in everything the will of God in my regard. And may God’s love bless and defend me all my days …all the days of my life.'”

Roncalli Catholic High School

Castle and Cathedral District

Kevin Vogt

Christian Brother Alan Parham

Kathie Weinfurtner, administrative assistant for the archdiocese Vocations Office

“Brother William was a great friend. I could always tell when I walked into a parish that Brother William had been involved in the remodeling of that particular parish. He left his mark! A man of many talents. I could always depend on him. He will be greatly missed by many.”

Nancy O’Doherty, notary for the archdiocese Metropolitan Tribunal

“When people got to know him, they liked him. He was very kindhearted, knowledgeable and had a good sense of humor.”