William Zielinski July 17, 1926 - October 3, 2021

William L. Zielinski

Passed away peacefully of natural causes on Sunday, October 3, 2021. He was 95 years old.

From the “Greatest Generation,” Bill grew up during the Great Depression and after graduation from Southside Catholic in June 1944, he enlisted in the Navy and served on the destroyer U.S.S. Benner in the South Pacific through the end of the war in 1945. In 1947 he married his high school sweetheart, the late Mary Catherine (nee Schaefer) and they began a 70-year union. Bill graduated from Saint Louis University’s School of Commerce and Finance in 1950 and became a CPA in 1953. In 1957 he started Zielinski & Wolff, CPA firm – later to become Zielinski Companies. Over the years, primarily because of “Mr. Z’s” business acumen and entrepreneurial leadership, ZCo became a prominent accounting, financial, and management consulting firm serving Catholic religious orders and their ministries throughout the world. He served on the Boards of Mercantile Trust Co., Reliance Bank, St. Joseph’s Academy, and Sunset Country Club, as well as being a long-time member of the Missouri Athletic Club.

Even with all his accomplishments in the business world, most important to Bill was his family. He and Mary Catherine had four children, Barb Zielinski, Judy Schnoebelen (Mark), Greg Zielinski (Mimi) and Steve Zielinski (Ursula), eight grandchildren, and soon to be eight great-grandchildren. He was always engaged with his children’s activities whether it be at school, on the athletic fields, or on the ice rink. He was one of the first “hockey dads” in the St. Louis area.

Finally, Bill was known for his infectious smile, his “can-do” attitude, and the generosity of his time and wisdom – he really loved to see young people do well. He will be missed!

Services: Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, October 30 at St. Catherine Laboure Catholic Church, 9740 Sappington Road, St. Louis, MO 63128 at 10:00 a.m.  In lieu of flowers, donations appreciated to St. Mary’s High School, Notre Dame High School, St. Joseph’s Academy, and/or DeSmet Jesuit High School.