Mr. William Michael Schulthess

My beloved father, friend and companion, Bill Schulthess, 80, of Sanford, FL (KC, MO, Wichita, KS, and Lakeland, FL), left us in January of 2024 after his Heroic efforts to survive Parkinson's Disease and his tragic fall in July of 2023 (in which, I, the son, feel I should have done more) that resulted in his decline and eventual passing.

This is the most painful thing I have ever had to do...I don't even know where to begin or what to say...After considerable thought, I believe that the finest way to HONOR my dad, is to tell you about him and some stories about him. I hope that you find these enjoyable and are worthy of him.

Dad was born in York, Nebraska on September 1st, 1943.

He graduated from Westport High School (KC, MO) and received a Bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Kansas.

Dad was married to his exceptional love and extraordinary soul mate, Melissa Miller in the summer of 1968. She gave birth to their only child, Raymond Michael Schulthess. Tragically, she suffered a life ending stroke a day after their son's extremely premature birth. His newborn son was yellow, jaundice and in an incubator. I don't even know HOW he survived this??? Given what happened to him, he could have fallen apart and I would have been a different person or maybe not even be here. I am truly GRATEFUL that he was my STRONG and LOVING father.

He was a man of the utmost GENEROSITY and SELFLESSNESS. His sister Hilda said, 'that, as long as everyone else was happy, he was happy'. She said that, 'he just liked to go with the flow'. He was always concerned for others far more than himself. He ALWAYS gave, as long as it would help someone else. He, and my grandparents, taught me and led by example, how to be the HONEST and COMPASSIONATE person I am today.

As a young boy, he had a love of aircraft. He always wanted to be a pilot. Unfortunately, his eyesight was lacking. So, instead, he became an aerospace engineer. This helped keep him to stay close to one of his greatest passions. He was employed by many of the top aerospace companies including: Boeing, Piper, Northrup Grumman, Lockhead Martin, Bombardier, Lear Jet and probably others that I don't remember. His skills were well sought after. So much so, that he was able to work on President Ronald Reagan's Air Force One.

Some of dad's passions include a love for the card game of Bridge (Life Master), Cribbage, The Wright Brothers and modern aircraft. He absolutely loved Spider-man, Tennis, Star Wars, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica (Re-imagined Series), spending time with his son Raymond. This time mostly consisted of visiting family, going to nerd conventions, gaming destinations and watching/re-watching many of the movies he and I loved.

His favorite sports teams include the University of Kansas Basketball, Kansas City Royals Baseball, Kansas City Chiefs Football, Florida State University Football (because of his son),

Many of his favorite foods are, starting with Mexican at Los Corales Tacos in Kansas City as a poor college student. BBQ is the Q39 Restaurant in Kansas City, In N' Out Burgers, Red Lobster, Publix spicy breaded chicken wings, filet mignon steaks, mashed potatoes with sausage gravy, cottage cheese with pineapple, PBJ, Snickers, bread pudding, chocolate chip cookies, chocolate of almost any kind, and butter pecan ice cream.

He was preceded in passing by his wife, Melissa Miller and his parents, William E. Schulthess and Margaret D. Schulthess.

He is survived by his only child, son, Raymond M. Schulthess.

The funeral service will be held at Baldwin Fairchild, Lake Mary, FL on Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 2 pm.

Dad would be grateful that, in lieu of gifts, that you might make a donation in his name, to DAV (Disabled American Veterans), your local Women's Emergency Pregnancy Center, Local pet shelters or your local church.