On Thursday, January 26, 2023, William Michael Schulze, beloved husband and father of three, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 76 following a brief illness. Billy, as he was referred to by most, was a kind soul who was loved by many. He will be dearly missed.
Billy was born on August 21, 1946, in Beaumont, TX. He served in the Army as a 101st Airborne paratrooper during the Vietnam War. He jumped over 100 times in his 18 months in the military, and he was awarded a purple heart for an injury suffered in the line of duty when enemy combatants tried to steal a military vehicle. While he was in the Army, Billy fell in love with his pen pal, Alicia, who would later become his wife.
Billy spent over 30 years as a specialty tool maker, before retiring to enjoy his hobbies and his family. Sundays would find him outside grilling his favorite meal of cube steak with gravy, asparagus and beans. He loved football, and especially the Houston Texans. Billy enjoyed saltwater fishing trips with his brother Tony; his happy place was knee-deep in the water with a pole in hand. In his younger days, Billy liked to spend time riding his Harley with his wife, brother-in-law, Mike and friends. He also loved to fix up old classic cars, and his favorite was his red Corvette.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Alicia; daughter, Shayna Vader, and husband Curtis, daughter, Stacie Schulze, and husband Derrick, and son, Shawn Schulze, and wife, Meagan, his brother Tony and wife Delores, granddaughters Hailee and Mackenzie, grandsons Derrick, Leyton and Hudson, niece Julie, nephew Joey, and his beloved kitty Kendra. Billy was preceded in death by his parents Martin and Pauline Schulze, brother Dicky, and nephew Robert. In accordance with Billy’s final wishes, his remains will be cremated and scattered in the ocean.
