William Peabody Schultz was born in Seattle, WA on September 5, 1929, and passed away on March 16, 2021 following an extended illness. Bill was the eldest son of William Frank Schultz and Sarah Ellen Peabody Schultz. He attended Alki Grade School, Madison Junior High, and West Seattle High School Class of 1948.
Bill served in the US Marine Corp Reserve, and the US Coast Guard Reserve, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He was a Boeing employee before returning to school for a Master's Degree in Education and was an elementary teacher in the Bellevue School District for 20 years, receiving a distinguished award as a “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers”.
One day in the early 1950’s, Bill glanced over at a nearby home in his West Seattle neighborhood and discovered Marlene Bell, sunbathing on her carport roof. He had discovered the love of his life. Bill had already made a date for that night, but he figured out a way to set up a double date with a friend, who would be Marlene’s date. Bill knew that the friend would never date Marlene again. No, Bill was to be with Marlene till the end of time. They were married in 1954 and they shared their 66 beautiful years together in Bellevue, rarely apart, just as Bill wished.
Bill was curious, kind, and gregarious. An engineer at heart, he had a childlike curiosity about how things worked, and a unique fondness for…owner's manuals. He loved to talk about cars, fix things around the house, and find little efficiencies to make life easier for his loved ones. He had a passion for sharing his discoveries with others, and was a teacher, both in the classroom and out. Bill also had a kindness and consideration for others. He would rarely ask for help but was always the first one to jump from his seat to help others. Finally, Bill loved to be in the company of other people. When you walked through his door, his face would light up with excitement in anticipation of stories of life, and opportunities to laugh.
Bill loved skiing, woodworking, and the outdoors, and shared those passions with his students through the years, teaching on the mountain and in the classroom. Bill and Marlene’s home centered on life, indoors and out. Their ever-increasing pet family “helped” him on the property as he pruned, planted, and cleared dead branches to make a hospitable place for the raccoons, opossum, and red foxes he marveled at. If Bill was not outside, he could be found in the shed, perfecting one of his many woodworking projects. Woodworking was also a skill which inspired his elementary students, by offering a chance to earn “shop” time for their academic achievements.
Bill and Marlene’s loving children are Patti Mann (& Miki) of Bellevue, Bill Schultz (& Shelley) of Lynden, and Anna Ormsby (& Todd) of Kirkland. He is also missed by his granddaughters, Alexandria Mann of Bellevue, and Katie Mann of Seattle. Bill is loved by his brother, Dwight William Schultz of Clinton, WA, and cousin, Sally Peabody Wagner of Santa Rosa, CA.
Bill’s family would like to express their heartfelt love and gratitude to Mina and Richard Zagrean, the devoted proprietors of Lakeview Care, Inc of Redmond, and to their beautiful caregivers, for their tender and loving care of Bill.
Please consider remembrances in Bill’s memory to the
Medic One Foundation
11747 NE 1st St #310
Bellevue, WA 98005
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