By Karen Andrew
The Cincinnati Enquirer

McWilliam

The Rev. James. J. McWilliam, a longtime school administrator, died Thursday at St. Margaret Hall, Evanston. He was 87.

The Rev. Jeff Kemper, dean of Mount St. Mary's Seminary of the West in Mount Washington, said Father McWilliam was known as a great counselor to many priests and nuns, as well as lay people.

"He counseled up until about four years ago," Father Kemper said. "He was very wise and knew what life was all about."

Father McWilliam was born in 1915 in Seaforth, Ontario, Canada. His father was a British Army engineer stationed in Canada during World War I. The family later moved to Toledo.

He earned a bachelor's degree from Xavier University in 1940 and a master's degree from Loyola University in Chicago in 1947. He also earned degrees in philosophy and theology from West Baden (Ind.) College and took special studies at Loyola as well as St. Louis University.

In 1936, Father McWilliam entered the Society of Jesus at Milford and was ordained a priest in 1949.

He began his education career as an assistant principal (1951-54) and headmaster (1954-57) at Loyola Academy in Chicago. He also served as Supervisor of Building for the Chicago Province of the Jesuits at Loyola Academy in Wilmette, Ill.

From 1958 to 1961, Father McWilliam was the Supervisor of Building and Minister of the Jesuit Community of St. Xavier High School in Finneytown.

He served as Spiritual Director of the Major Seminary of the Pontifical College Josephinum (1961-67) in Columbus, Ohio, and Counselor of Clergy and Religious of the USA (1964-67).

For the most part, he remained in Cincinnati from 1967 until his death.

Survivors include two sisters, Margaret McMullen of Rockford, Ill., and Mary Dudley of Toledo.

Services have been held.

Memorials: Covenant House, 460 W. 41st St., New York, N.Y. 10036.

E-mail kandrew@enquirer.com