William C. Schillinger

William C. (Bill) Schillinger passed away Saturday morning, March 3, 2012, at age 85. A lifelong resident of El Paso, Bill was born on July 7, 1926. He graduated from Austin High School and Texas College of Mines, where he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Navy. After graduation from college, Bill joined his father, Charles, in the family business, Modern Iron Works, Inc. In 1959 he succeeded Charles as president and guided the company for the next 25 years. Bill married the love of his life, Margaret (Peggy) Miller in 1957, and they made their home in Kern Place for the next 54 years. Bill was a longtime member of the Rotary Club of El Paso, and was the recipient of numerous awards, including Rotarian of the Year and Paul Harris Fellow. He was a Life Member of Elks Lodge No. 187, and was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church. Bill was widely admired and respected in El Paso’s business community, and he was proud to carry on his father’s tradition of integrity with the family’s steel fabrication business, passing that tradition on to his son, who succeeded him as president in 1991. Even after retirement, Bill maintained a keen interest in the company, keeping up with the day to day details through his son. Bill and Peggy shared a full and happy life together, attending UTEP football and basketball games, movies, the Symphony and dinners with friends. Bill was a kind and compassionate man, always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed one, in particular his employees, who he considered to be part of his extended family. He was a mentor and role model to many, setting an example by the way lived his life and conducted his business with honor, kindness and humility. While his passing leaves us with deep sorrow, we rejoice in the knowledge that he is reunited now with his beloved wife, who passed away last June, and whose absence left a void in Bill’s life that was too great to be filled by anything of this Earth. Bill was a loving husband, a doting father and grandfather, and a friend to anyone who met him. We are grateful to have had so many wonderful years with him, and so many happy memories. He will be dearly missed by his son Kenneth, daughter in law Patricia, grandson Kevin, cousins Jeffrey Bradford and Mark Bradford, and many lifelong friends. He was preceded in death by his son David, parents Charles and Willie Belle, and his wife Peggy. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2012 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at First Christian Church. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 2:00 PM at First Christian Church, 901 Arizona Ave. Interment will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, Texas 79912. www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com