William Lee Schroeder
A visitation will be held from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM, with a service at 1:00 PM on Friday, March 7th, 2025, at Roseberry’s Funeral Home in Friendship, Wisconsin. Interment will follow at East Arkdale Cemetery.
Born on March 24th, 1958, in Portage, WI, Bill was the son of Beldon and Ruth Schroeder. His love for farming began at a young age, and he pursued his passion by earning a short course degree in Agriculture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. At just 3 years old, Bill could be found feeding his father’s cows with his little bucket, five buckets each. His early years included a variety of jobs, from being a paperboy to working at Bower’s Feed Mill and NAPA, installing water wells, and spending nearly 25 years at Castle Rock Container, later known as West Rock, from which he retired in 2024. Despite his many careers, his true passion was dairy and cash crop farming.
A hardworking and kind-hearted man, Bill was always ready to help anyone in need, whether it was lending a hand on the farm or offering a listening ear. His generosity and strong work ethic earned him the respect and admiration of all who knew him.
Above all, Bill cherished his role as a loving husband to Laurie for 42 years, a devoted father to Willa and Wendy, and a proud grandfather to Sunny, Gordon, and Owen. He found joy in watching crops sprout each spring, listening to “Long Time” by Boston (his high school graduation song), and spending time with his children and grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Beldon Schroeder, and his nephew, Christopher Piechowski.
He is survived by his wife, Laurie; daughters Willa (Ben) Pribel and Wendy (Gordon) Reitz; grandchildren Sunny Pribel, Gordon Reitz III, and Owen Reitz; and his siblings Alice Tomaska, Dale (Carol) Schroeder, Mary (George) Piechowski, David (Gretchen) Schroeder, and Rebecca (David) Smith.
For many years, Bill served as vice president of the Old Farmer’s Antique Club. In his honor, please share a fond memory at the Old Farmer’s Antique Club Fall Harvest Festival, held on the last full weekend in September.
Dad, I miss you more than words can express. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you, wish you were still here, hear your voice, or just ask you for random advice just one more time. I hold onto the memories of your love, your guidance, and everything you taught me. I promise to teach my boys the same wisdom and values you passed down to me, so they can carry your legacy too. I know you’re watching over us, and that brings me comfort, but I still long for the moments we shared. I hope you know how much I love you and how deeply grateful I am for everything you did for me. As much as I miss you I find peace knowing you’re in heaven pain free, socializing with our loved ones, & likely farming God’s fields without anything breaking. I love you Dad, until we meet again.
Laurie and family, I am saddened to learn of Bill’s passing. He is one of those quiet people of purpose. Even if life was hard at times, he never seemed to show it; I’ll miss his smile. He did love the farm life. I can see him still through high school a proud FFA member. He’s that kind of person that was always busy, a credit to his family, community, and our Lord. Know that the Holy Spirit remains near to comfort you. May God grant Bill peace, rest, and show him all the treasures of heaven. In Jesus’ name I pray. ✝️🛐🕊️
William was a very special person. His compassion for life was wonderful. God Bless William
Oh My Sweet William,
I will miss you so, until we meet again!
Love, Laurie xoxo
So sorry to hear about Bill passing I always enjoyed working with him at the coop
Laurie, Willa, and Wendy we are deeply saddened to hear about your loss. Please accept our heartfelt condolences. You and your family are in my thoughts during this difficult time.
So very saddened to hear this news. Our families grew up as neighbors and I remember visiting there often. Whenever Bill and I
chanced to meet we always talked about our families. Always enjoyed our visits. God bless you all and prayers for all.
Laurie, Wendy and Willa
Bill asked me if sometime this summer Larry and I would meet him at the Historical Society Building to go through some old Roche-A-Cri class pictures. It was very important to him to have names go with the pictures. Well Bill, we will follow through with your request!
Our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead Laurie.
7lhprd
Laurie, Ardy and I have you and the family in our thoughts and prayers. Bill was a very special person and I always loved running into him. He was a joy to talk to and was one of the smartest people I knew. You are very special also Laurie, always by his side, no matter where or when you guys were always together. God bless you and I look forward to seeing Bill again.
Laurie, Willa and Wendy, Your Bill, to me, was a salt of the earth kind of person.
Forever loved by you all and all that knew him. I am sending you all love and
my deepest sympathy on the sad loss of him on this earth…but just to meet again in Heaven.
Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Rick & Joyce Koch
Condolences to you Laurie and your family. We always enjoyed seeing and working with both of you at the Old Farmers. Hold the good times close.
RIP Bill
Laurie, Willa, Wendy, and families, I’m so very sorry for your loss. Bill was one of the kindest people and he will certainly be missed. Your family and our community, are richer for knowing Bill. He is at home in Heaven now. Love and hugs, dear friends.
Laurie, Willa, Wendy and family..Bill and Sammy Warp visited Dale and I frequently through high school and the years beyond. We were both his teachers, and always found him to be a gentle spirit of a man who was kind and thoughtful beyond words. Bless you all as you celebrate his life, and mourn his loss. He was a wonderful man, and his life, kindness, and love of family will never be forgotten!
I went to school at Roche-A-Cri and A-F High with Bill. Good guy. To the entire Schroeder family I am sorry for your loss.
Our condolences to Laurie. Willa, Wendy and families. Keep your memories close.
Heaven will have o more water problems now with BILL up there.We will never stop remembering you down here when we all have our water issues. HE was a GOOD neighbor that helped everyone out.sad times for ALL, sympathy to LORI & FAMILY
So very sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.
Sorry for your loss.
Condolences to Bill’s family and friends. I only knew Bill in high school but I remember he was a kind, caring person. RIP
Our sympathy to Bill’s family at this sad time. He was a classmate of mine at Roche-a-Cri Grade School and A-F High School. He was a nice person. Thinking of his family-may your good memories of Bill sustain you in the days ahead.
always looked forward to the Farmers event in the fall we always had a good visit, Prayers to all…… having lost a lot of loved ones know the pain we share but know that God is taking care of him and all our loved ones.
“Oh, only for so short a while you have loaned us to each other.”
I will miss you everyday until I see you again.
Love,
Your Willa Bean
My thoughts are with you all.
Laurie, so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. Prayers and hugs to you and your family.
Bill was such a great friend to me in high school. It’s sad to see another classmate gone. Laurie and girls you are in my prayers and Bill will definitely be missed, but he’s with the Lord Almighty. Remember the memories
My Condolences to Laurie and the girls. Billy was always busy but always took the time to chat. He will be missed for all of his wisdom and kindness. He was a good friend and neighbor! Keeping your family in my prayers!
I’m So sorry for your loss Aunt Lorie, Willa and Wendy and families. I can’t imagine the loss you must feel. I’m praying for all of you.
To Laurie and family, we are so sorry to hear of Billy’s passing. This was very shocking to hear. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. R.I.P.
Laurie and Family,
Darren and I are devastated to hear of your dear Billy’s passing. We are so very sorry. Billy was a great Man. Blessed Be. RIP 🫂
Billie will surely be missed by myself, the Old Farmers Antique Club and the entire community. Billie could be found sitting out front of the OFAC museum greeting people, answering questions, and telling stories at our Fall Harvest Festival, he didn’t always have the answer- so he would say (I will have to ask Lori) with a laugh. Billie being the great guy he was, helped so many people out in the community with well and pump problems, that he not soon be forgotten. So I guess that price of CASE parts just went down with his passing. Billie was truly someone worth calling a good friend.
So sorry Laurie, Wendy , Willa and family for your loss! Cherish all the fond Memories. My heart goes out to you all~
Condolences to all. Another good one gone too soon. RIP Billy.
Hey Bill, we Love ya man! As a brother-in-law you were alway kind, caring, and the guy who would give anyone a helping hand. Both Carol & I will miss you! Thank you for everything and being there for my sister Laurie.
Laurie and family. We are so sorry for the loss of your husband, partner and friends. Keep Bill’s fun times close to your heart.
Lori and family, So sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. RIP Bill.
We will miss Bill, it won’t be the same at the family gatherings without the whole family. But our prayers go out to Lori and Willa and Wendy. And all of their children and spouses. Dale and I will keep you in our prayers and we will miss him as a brother and brother-in-law. Now Billy can be with mom and dad in heaven. No more pain and no more sorrow.
Our sympathy to Bill’s family. His kindness and big heart will be missed by many.
Thoughs prayers and hugs to the family and friends I went to school with Bill as well as working with him at the rock I remember his days at bowers Napa etc he was always a kind and helpful person always look for him at the badger steam and gas show in Baraboo wi selling his raffle tickets RIP Bill you will be miss bye many
Such a good man. We had such fun at Holiday Happening sharing memories of our grade school days. My dad always thought a lot of Bill as a fellow “Old Farmer”. My sympathy to you all.
So sorry to hear of Bills passing.
So sorry on your loss of Bill. Hold your memories close. He’s driving that big tractor in the sky
Bill, It’s time for you to get on to that big beautiful CASE tractor, and do some farming for God now. We will all miss you so very much. So glad I got to be your sister in law!
You always treated my sister with so much love, kindness, and respected=:) Go rest now.
Love you, Jan
Laurie,
I am SO sorry to hear about Bill! He always had a smile on his face when I saw him out and about! He will be missed by many. My heart breaks for you and your family! Please let us know if you and your family need anything.
Bill was a very nice man who was so very good to my parents. He was a fabulous neighbor and friend. My condolences to his family. Heaven gained an angel.
So very very sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. I can say the last time I saw him was at the Old Farmers gala in September. My heartfelt condolences to his family. He certainly was a loving husband, father and grandfather. His family was his life.
So very sorry for the families loss
Was in the same class as Bill all through school. He was always so kind hearted!