The life and legacy of William Kilian “W.K.” Dwyer, Anaconda’s champion of education

Editor’s note: This story was submitted and is being shared regardless of the fate of the former W.K. Dwyer Elementary School and is not intended as a comment on it in any way, but rather as a way to serve as a reminder of the life of its namesake, William Kilian O’Dwyer.

Many in Anaconda are familiar with the name W.K. Dwyer because of the elementary school erected here in 1959 and named in his honor. In a school contest held in 1957 to name the new school to be built, elementary pupils of Anaconda chose the name “W.K. Dwyer” by an overwhelming majority. A total of 25 names had been nominated in the contest, and the board of trustees concurred with the students’ choice. The board voted, and the students of Anaconda had the final say: the new elementary school would be named W.K. Dwyer.

Dwyer Elementary closed its doors in 2016. The building still stands in Anaconda today, but the history of the man these students chose to honor has faded over the decades since those young boys and girls cast their vote and left their mark on Anaconda’s history. 

A life in education and service

William Kilian O’Dwyer was born July 8, 1870, in County Cork, Ireland. His father was a school principal in Castletownbere, where “W.K.” was first educated in national schools. He later attended St. Michael’s College in County Kerry, Ireland, graduating in 1888, and in 1891 enrolled at St. Mary’s University in Baltimore, where he earned both Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees. He moved to Chicago where he did post-graduate work in law, literature, history and education at the University of Chicago and attended Lake Forest College in Illinois. 

Professor Dwyer came to Montana in 1902. While studying law in the Butte office of County Attorney Peter Breen, he also taught at Butte High School. In 1904, he moved to Anaconda to serve as principal of Anaconda High School. The following year, he was appointed superintendent of schools—a position he held for 39 years, retiring on June 19, 1944. At the time, it was reportedly the longest tenure for a superintendent in the United States.

In 1916, a telegram from New York announced that Dwyer had been re-elected Montana State Director of the National Education Association, a position he had also held the year before after his election at the 1915 San Francisco convention.

In 1929, the Anaconda Standard celebrated his 25th anniversary as superintendent. During his leadership, Anaconda’s public schools adopted progressive educational methods and earned high rankings across the state. Beyond education, Dwyer contributed to civic life and was also a member of the Hearst Library Board of Directors and as an advocate for public betterment.

Family and legacy

On June 16, 1908, W.K. Dwyer married Mary “Alice” Malvey in Anaconda. Born Aug. 24, 1886 in Hancock, Michigan, Alice had come to Anaconda with her family as a young girl. Together, they raised three children in their home at 505 Hickory St.

Professor Dwyer passed away on May 9, 1950 at his home at the age of 80. His death came as a shock to the community of Anaconda that he had served for so many years. He was known as a veteran education leader in Montana. In his memory, Anaconda public schools were dismissed from 10:15 a.m. until noon during his funeral. Members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus recited the Rosary at Finnegan’s Chapel. A Requiem High Mass was celebrated at St. Paul’s Church, where he was a member. He was laid to rest at Mount Olivet Cemetery, surrounded by floral tributes and friends from across Montana. Honorary pallbearers included Senator James E. Murray and then-Representative Mike Mansfield.

The service was officiated by Rev. Father Lowney, assisted by Fathers Sullivan and Fenlon.

A family of service

• Alice Dwyer (1886-1979): Alice passed away in Missoula on May 26, 1979 at the age of 92. She had moved to Missoula years earlier to live with her daughter Maribeth. A member of St. Paul’s Parish and the Daughters of Isabella. She is laid to rest beside her husband and two sons who preceded her in death. At the time of her passing, she was grandmother to 10 and great-grandmother to nine. 

• William David “W.D.” Dwyer (1909-1951): Born April 3, 1909 in Anaconda, W.D. graduated  from AHS class of 1928. He later earned honors from the Art Institute of Los Angeles and graduated from Otis College of Art and Design. A member of St. Paul’s Church and of the Mill and Smeltermen and Painters Union, He passed  away from an extended illness on Jan. 29, 1951 at the age of 41. He is buried in the Dwyer family plot at Mount Olivet.

• Horace J. Dwyer (1911–1963): Born May 8, 1911, Horace graduated with honors from AHS  class of 1928 along with his brother W.D. He went on to graduate from St. Mary’s College (1932) and Lincoln University Law School (1939). He practiced law in Anaconda and served both locally and statewide in education, including his appointment to the Montana State Board of Education by Governor John W. Bonner in 1950. Horace and his wife, Helen Jenressen, raised 10 children. He passed away Oct. 29, 1963, in Great Falls at the age of 52. Helen lived to be 88 years old. She passed away in 2003. Both Horace and Helen are laid to rest in the Dwyer family plot in Anaconda. 

• Maribeth Dwyer (1921–2008): Born June 8, 1921 in Anaconda, Maribeth graduated from AHS with the Class of 1938. Education was always a high priority in her family and like her two older brothers she too went on to achieve higher education. She earned her degree in history and political science from the University of Montana in 1942. She worked for the Civil Service Commission in Washington, D.C. and later became news editor for University of Montana’s  News and Publications Office, a role she held for over 30 years. Known for her writing talent, grace and brilliant mind. When the Anaconda High School Class of 1938 celebrated its 50-year reunion, Maribeth wrote:

“Through the years I’ve had a chance to see a bit of the world. I have been to the Orient and three trips to Europe. I didn’t become rich or famous or marry and have children, but I had good companions. No matter where my feet have taken me, a part of me has never left home.” The Missoulian – Missoula, Montana, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008 – which published her obituary on Page 15 of that edition. She passed away on Sept. 30, 2008 at the age of 87 in Missoula. In the end she came home to be laid to rest beside her parents and her two older brothers and her sister-in-law. 

Legacy and memory

On Aug. 29, 1959 the public was invited to an open house at the newly completed W.K. Dwyer Elementary School which drew a large public turnout. In attendance were Mrs. Alice Dwyer, Mr. and Mrs. Horace J. Dwyer, Miss Maribeth Dwyer, and several grandchildren.

Though the school closed in 2016, the building still stands. So too does the name – a reminder of a man who gave nearly four decades of service to the students of Anaconda, and of a family who continued that commitment across generations.

In Remembrance

In honor of William Kilian O’Dwyer and his family, we share a traditional Irish blessing: “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind always be at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields, And, until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand."