William "Bill" Schmidt

William “Bill” James Schmidt, 81, died peacefully on January 10, 2025, surrounded by loved ones. Bill was a beloved husband, father, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa, brother, son, and friend. He was born to Arthur and Sigrid (Erickson) Schmidt (and brother, John) on August 11, 1943. Bill was raised in Edison Park, IL and graduated from Lane Tech High School in Chicago, IL before earning a 2-year associate’s degree in agriculture from Michigan State University. Bill and his treasured wife of more than 60 years, Sheila Rose (Prangle), met when they were 14 years old at Pickwick Theatre in Park Ridge, IL. and the rest is history. Bill and Sheila lived in Elk Grove, IL before moving to Libertyville in 1978 where they raised their 4 children. A man of many interests, he loved dogs, enjoyed family camping trips, golfing, traveling to the Caribbean, Portillo’s chocolate cake, and all things Chicago sports – Bear down, Chicago Bears! And… Go, Cubs, Go! Known for his generosity and his endless support of his family and friends, Bill will be deeply missed. His smile was reserved for things and people he loved most, and if you were lucky enough to be on the receiving end of it, it was impossible not to smile back, and a smile that will be impossible for us to forget. He leaves a legacy of hard work. Bill worked at Commonwealth Edison for 32 years, including 25 at the Zion nuclear plant. His strong work ethic was admired by all who knew him – dedicated, diligent, and loyal. This was obvious, too, in his woodworking and gardening. Bill is survived by his wife, Sheila, his brother, John Schmidt, his children, Darlene (Patrick) Persons, Debra (Ronald) Raca, Daniel (Christine) Schmidt, Dana (Diane) Schmidt, his 9 grandchildren Kendall (Lindsay) Persons, Hillary (Timothy) Schroeter, Paige Persons, Riley Raca, Delanie Raca, Samantha Schmidt, Mackenzie Schmidt, Cooper Schmidt, and Sydney Schmidt, and his 5 great-grandchildren William, Philip, and Margaret Persons, Cole and Logan Schroeter. To commemorate his remarkable life and the memories we cherish, an 11:00 visitation and 1:00 service will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at Burnett-Dane Funeral Home, 120 W. Park Ave. Libertyville, IL. We welcome all who loved him to join us in remembering the life of a man who will be deeply missed. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, charity donations may be made to PAWS (https://placingpawsrescue.org/) or Gift of Hope (www.giftofhope.org) in Bill’s memory. Info: 847-362-3009 or share a memory at www.burnettdane.com.

William "Bill" Schmidt

August 11, 1943 - January 10, 2025