I knew him as Bill, my brother-in-law. Diane’s sister, Debbie’s husband. I knew him as a faithful and loving husband and father, a man connected to his extended family and his church. He took his faith in Jesus Christ seriously, and was thoughtful in his Christian convictions.
My best memory of Bill is of his laugh, his insightful comments about faith, politics, history, coupled with a love for family. He visited our son when Aaron was stationed in Germany while in the Army. He asked at Matt and Dana’s wedding if there was anything he could do to help. Matt said that he had not been able to mow his lawn. So Bill got the lawn mower, suite pants and white shirt and all, and cut the grass! Below is his obituary, written by his wife and family. Rest in peace, dear brother. We look forward to the resurrection and take comfort in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
William Murray Schott, 68, passed away January 4, 2014, in his home, surrounded by loved ones, after a long battle with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Anne Schott.
He is survived by his wife, Debbie; children and spouses Lisa and Jesse Allen, Nadine Schott, Joe and Beth Schott, and Diane Schott; grandchildren Eloise Allen, Zinnia Allen, and Lucas Schott; eight brothers and sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Bill grew up in Brookfield, WI, and Hoopeston, IL. In 1968 he received a BS degree as a Chemical Engineer from University of Illinois. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany and Vietnam, and was honorably discharged as a Captain. Bill received an MBA from Washington University and worked for many years in the chemical industry. He eventually retired from this work when living in Mission, KS. In his retirement years, he obtained a Masters Degree in Romance Languages and enjoyed working as an adjunct professor of Spanish at UMKC. During these years, Bill also served as a reader in the Reach Out and Read program, a member of the VFW Santa Fe Trail Post #846 color guard, and a science experiment volunteer helper at Crestview Elementary. He was an amateur historian, an avid reader, and a polyglot world traveler. With great pleasure, he accompanied his father-in-law on an Honor-Flight visit with a group of veterans to Washington, D.C.
The family wishes to thank the American Cancer Society for providing drivers to take Bill to chemotherapy, the staff at Kansas City Cancer Center in Overland Park, and to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care for compassionate aid in his final weeks.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, January 9, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 9101 Lamar Avenue. Friends may visit with the family before the service that begins at 11:00 a.m. A reception in the church follows. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Kansas City Hospice, 10100 W 87th Street, Suite 100, Overland Park, KS 66212; American Cancer Society, 1100 Pennsylvania Ave, Kansas City, MO 64105; or Bethany Lutheran Church. Arrangements are pending for burial in the Leavenworth National Cemetery.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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