The world has lost a great man. A wonderful father, grandfather, great grandfather, mentor, author and friend to all.
William E. Schneider (Ol' Bill) passed away on August 15, 2016, at the Victoria Care Center, where he had been a resident for 3 years, surrounded by his loved ones. 01' Bill was a lifelong resident of Saticoy. He was born on December 11, 1918, the only son of William Schneider and Isabelle McAdam Schneider.
Ol' Bill attended Saticoy Elementary School, still located at the same site, and Ventura High School. He was President of Ventura Junior College 1938 to 1939. He then attended USC. He played the slide trombone for the USC band and marched in the 1940 Rose Parade and Rose Bowl. He proudly told the story of how the only A he got at USC was in boxing. He graduated from USC with a Master's Degree in Education.
Ol' Bill proudly served in the Merchant Marines during World War IL Starting in July 1942 he sailed on 4 tankers throughout the war, both in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. He wrote many stories for the Newsletter The Anchor Light, a publication of the U.S. Merchant Marine Veterans of World War II.
Ol' Bill returned to Saticoy after the war and married Audrey French in 1947. He worked in farming, first in pest control and then in farming tomatoes, green beans and flowers in various fields in Saticoy for 13 years. He joined the teaching profession in 1962, starting in Montalvo Schools and finishing in Ventura Unified School District in 1982. He spent 12 years in the classroom and 8 years as a Junior High School counselor. He was a mentor to hundreds of school age kids, where, under the guise of making kites, he was guiding them and leading them to a better life.
Ol' Bill got bit by the acting bug as a young man and after he retired at the age of 62 from teaching he got a print agent and his pictures appeared on billboards, sales brochures and bank advertisements. After a few years, his started a film career and became a proud member of SAG (Screen Actors Guild). His film credits included two major films, several short films, and host of a local history series on CAPS, the Ventura Public Television Station. He also performed as Carl Sandburg at many book fairs and Swedish festivals.
In his later years, Ol' Bill organized and managed several music bands, ranging from 40's dance bands to Dixieland, including his beloved Main Street Jazz Band which continues today under the leadership of his son, Bill Jr. Ol' Bill played the trombone and acted as Master of Ceremonies for each gig. Music was one of his greatest passions and he continued to play until he was 94.
Ol' Bill loved people and everyone who met him became his friend. Some of those friends include the coffee gang at The 126 Cafe, fellow parishioners at the Church of The Foothills, and the old Saticoy Congregational Church. He was active in the Saticoy Historical Society and documented the stories of pioneering families of Saticoy. He was also a proud member of the Ventura and Saticoy Lions Clubs. His birthday parties were
an annual event with live music and became a Saticoy reunion. Ol' Bill wrote a book with his many stories of growing up in Saticoy, the war and life in general. Recollections, Reflections & Some Other Stuff was published by the Saticoy Historical Society in the Spring of 2011.
Ol' Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Carl Schneider and Isabelle McAdam Schneider, his first wife Audrey, his sister, Katherine Gordon. Ol' Bill is survived by his Wife, Norma Jean (divorced) children, Claire Schneider, Beverley Brooks (Wayne), William Jr. (Elizabeth Cameron), and Laurie Schneider (Ron Perdue), his grand daughter, Laurie La Rue, and his great grandson, Michael La Rue.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2016 at the Church of the Foothills at 10 am with a reception following the service at the same location. The Internment will be at Ivy Lawn on Monday September 19, 2016 in section "C" at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Saticoy Boys and Girls Club and the Church of the Foothills. The Family would to thank Victoria Care Center for their highly skilled staff and unwavering support and assistance to Ol' Bill. Thank You ...The Family
Arrangements under the direction of Charles Carroll Funeral Home, Ventura, CA.
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