Sally Winez Puckett Schnell, a devoted mother, grandmother, and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, passed away peacefully at her home in Gresham, Oregon on April 22, 2023, surrounded by her loving family. She was 81 years old.
Born in LaGrande, Oregon on August 24, 1941, Sally was the daughter of Mary Inez Fowler and Winton Holtby Puckett. When her father went to serve in WWII, Sally moved to Portland and lived with her grandparents, Claude and Pauline Puckett. At the age of 11, Sally went to live with her mother and stepfather, Leo Neave, in Toledo, Oregon, where she attended Toledo High School.
Throughout high school, Sally was known for her academic excellence and leadership skills. She was the president of the Rally Squad, Twerp Queen, Prom Queen, and was elected Sheriff during her time at Girls State. Sally graduated from Toledo High School in 1959 and moved back to Portland, where she graduated from secretary school and started working at a car dealership.
Sally fell in love with her neighbor boy, Bill Schnell, and they were married on August 28, 1960. They worked and lived in Portland, where Sally found joy in being a homemaker and mother to their three children - Rob, Haley, and Mandy. Sally was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and spent many years serving others in her church callings.
When her children were young, Sally worked as a teacher's assistant at various local elementary schools. After her children were grown, she joined Bill at the family business, Schnell Automotive, where she skillfully took care of the bookkeeping. Sally was an accomplished crafter and seamstress and loved making clothes, quilts, and gifts for her family and friends. She was also a writer and faithful record keeper, keeping a journal and creating photo albums, scrapbooks, and genealogy records.
Sally and Bill were blessed with 11 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Sally was preceded in death by her grandparents, parents, stepfather, brother, sister, and husband. She is survived by her children and grandchildren, sister Sandy, brother Larry, and sister Lorri.
Sally will be remembered for her kind heart, her unwavering faith, and her love for her family. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
William "Bill" Robson Schnell passed away peacefully on June 25th, 2020, at his home in St. George, UT, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on September 27th, 1941, in Portland, Oregon to William and Ardith Schnell. Bill grew up in Portland and had a great love for the city, knowing all the best places to visit.
As a youth, Bill enjoyed scouting and loved going to Boy Scout camps, Camp Baldwin and Camp Merriweather being his favorites, where he learned how to ride horses. During his teenage years, he had a passion for sports, hanging out with friends, and most of all, working on cars. Bill graduated from Benson Polytechnic, where he excelled in the automotive trade. He worked with his parents and siblings at Schnell's Automotive and Supply, a family business that he and his brothers later ran as Schnell Automotive.
In December 1959, Bill fell in love with Sally Puckett, his cute neighbor, and on August 28th, 1960, they got married. Building custom engines for racing, hotrods, custom cars, and boats was a passion for Bill and his family. His skills as an engine builder were highly sought after, and owning an engine built by a Schnell meant something fast! Bill loved gardening like his mother and had a special love for Dahlias. He and Sally raised their three children, Rob, Haley, and Mandy, in the Gateway area in Portland.
Bill had a heart of service and was always willing to help those in need. He participated in the Boy Scouts of America and earned his Wood Badge. Bill also served in many positions in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, including as a Bishop. He loved his friends and the people he served, and they loved him in return. Bill loved fishing, camping, cooking, gardening, and racing, and he made the best spaghetti in town. In later years, he and his brothers spent time setting speed records at the Bonneville salt flats for the sheer fun of it.
In 2017, Bill and Sally moved from their long-time home in Portland, Oregon, to St. George, UT, to retire. Bill was most proud of his family and loved them more than anything. He was the best brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, friend, teacher, and mentor any of us could have asked for. Bill had a unique way of taking care of those around him.
Bill is survived by his wife Sally, his siblings Christine and husband Mike, Richard and wife Jan, Timothy and wife Bonnie, Rebecca and husband Joe, Teresa and husband Vince, his children Rob and wife Angie, Haley and husband Steve, Mandy and husband Nikko, eleven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, William and Ardith Schnell. Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.skylinememorialgardens.com for the Schnell family.
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