William Bill Carl Schaefer

79, beloved husband, father, brother and grandfather, successful businessman and community supporter, Arizona State’s biggest fan and the best man his family will ever know passed away on August 3. Bill was known for his unassuming kindness and generosity, his support of all things Arizona State, and being everyone’s favorite friend, employer and neighbor. Born in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, Bill joined the Wisconsin National Guard before moving to the Valley to attend Arizona State University. He earned a double major at ASU in both Insurance and Accounting and was a Senator for the College of Business Administration, Secretary of the Delta Sigma Pi professional business fraternity and a leader in the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity where he was named Outstanding Pledge and served as Treasurer, President and a member of its National Leadership Board. Prior to graduating from ASU in 1960, Bill met Judy Barrett who became his wife of nearly 54 years. In 1961, Bill and a partner established Schaefer and Smith Insurance Agency in Phoenix which became the foundation for Schaefer-Smith-Ankeney Insurance Agency, one of the largest independent insurance agencies in the region. Bill’s commitment to his profession was unmatched as he understood the importance of education, the potential of bringing new talented individuals into the industry, and the importance of being a bellwether in technology. He took great pride in the firm being the employer of choice in the Valley and its enviable long-term retention of employees and clients. This contributed to the Independent Insurance Agents of America recognizing his firm as one of the best managed agencies in the nation. He served as Secretary, Treasurer, President and long-time Board Member of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Arizona (IIA&BA). Aside from receiving numerous accolades including IIA&BA Agent of the Year, being the youngest inductee into the IIA&BA Hall of Fame, and receiving the Paul H. Jones Career Achievement Award, Bill took exceptional pride in the over 130 employees working at his firm as well as the numerous life-long clients he served. After selling the agency in 2003, Bill and Judy enjoyed spending summers golfing at Forest Highlands, traveling and spending time with family and long-time friends. Bill’s commitment to the community, and in particular, Arizona State University, was exceptional. He served as President of the Sun Devil Club, President and Lifetime Board Member of the Sun Angel Foundation, and a Lifetime Member of the ASU President’s Club. Bill and Judy bled maroon and gold and held football season tickets for 55 years. They travelled the nation supporting the University’s baseball, basketball, football and golf programs and in 2004, their generosity resulted in the creation of the Bill and Judy Schaefer Sports Hall of Fame on the University’s Tempe campus. In addition to ASU, many charitable and community organizations benefited from Bill and Judy’s selflessness including the Arizona Humane Society, the Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation, Liberty Wildlife, the Forest Highlands Foundation and UMOM. Bill is fondly remembered by family, friends and business associates as a quiet leader with flawless character, an excellent mentor, employer and friend, and most important to him, a tremendous partner to his wife and best friend Judy, a strong and silent mentor to his sons and being the kindest and gentlest soul to his adoring grandchildren. The impact he made on so many members of our community can never be understated as his life was the ultimate tribute on how to be a great man. Preceded in death by his wife Judy and son Robert, he is survived by his son Scott and grandchildren Sara, Taylor, Braeden and Abby; his daughter-in-law Courtney Schaefer Gorder (Dale) and grandchildren William and Hannah; and his brother-in-law Bob Barrett (Lisa). He is also missed by his four-footed family members Gracie and Bentley. Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Love and Friendship honoring Bill’s wonderful life on Sunday, October 15 from 3:00 until 5:00 at the Bill and Judy Schaefer Sports Hall of Fame in the ICA Building on the south end of Sun Devil Stadium. The remembrance he would have appreciated the most is support given to the Two Pups Wellness Fund, a component fund of the Arizona Community Foundation at 2201 E. Camelback Road Suite 405B, Phoenix, AZ 85016 or online at www.twopups.org.

Arrangements under the direction of Green Acres Mortuary & Cemetery, Scottsdale, AZ.