William Schindler
May 30, 1927 - April 14, 2014
William "Bill" Irvin Schindler was born of Austrian and Danish/English parentage to Frederick William Schindler and Lena Augusta Jacobsen on 30 May 1927 in Blackfoot, Idaho.
Bill received the highest score given on a military placement test and left home for Naval Air Corp training in May 1945. World War II ended and Bill was discharged in 1947.
He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1947-1949 in the Western Canadian Mission.
Bill graduated from Idaho State University with a degree in Business Administration in 1952 and later completed graduate work through the University of Idaho/INL. His professional career began as a scout executive for the Tendoy Council, Boy Scouts of America. In that capacity he introduced the Cub Scout program to many areas in the council, including Rexburg, in the 1950's and was camp director at Camp Nebeker, on the shores of Bear Lake. He oversaw development of Little Lemhi and was an active recruiter of Wood Badge participants. Fellow Scouters called him "Sagebrush", a nickname that always brought a smile to his face. Bill was transferred to Everett, Washington in 1958.
Bill married Colleen Jenson of Bear Lake on 13 August 1954 in the Idaho Falls Temple. Five children blessed their union; Susan Colleen May (Ed), Idaho; Annette Marie Green, Colorado; Brent William (Julie), Michigan; Ronald Irvin (Helena), Texas; Jay Jenson (Jeanne), Alaska. They have 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
His church service included leadership responsibilities as Branch President in Port Angeles, Washington and Bishop in Pocatello, Idaho. He especially loved teaching in the Stanley, Idaho Branch. For eight years, Bill and Colleen worked in the Idaho Falls Temple. Researching every Thursday in the Family History Center brought keen satisfaction to Bill. His meticulous research is now in Family Tree.
After retiring from the INL, where he worked as a subcontract administrator, Bill and Colleen spent many enjoyable months at the family property in the Stanley Basin. Bill was a true old-school outdoorsman, completely comfortable and self-reliant in the wilds. He was always willing to share his skills and love of the outdoors with his family and passed that legacy to them.
Bill's grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought much joy to him. He loved having his grandchildren come and place their little babies on his lap. He loved bringing a smile to their little faces with a game of pic-a-boo.
In 2008 Bill had a large tumor removed from his brain. That successful surgery gave him six more years to spend with his family. The last four were spent in Rexburg, in the home of his daughter. His devoted wife of nearly 60 years was his steady and patient therapist and caregiver. Bill cheerfully faced each new day and was increasingly loving, expressing gratitude to the very end, when he slipped peacefully away.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, at the Henry's Fork LDS Stake Center, 1508 West 3000 North, in Rexburg. The family will receive friends Saturday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the stake center prior to services. Interment will be in the Rexburg Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to www.flammfh.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
1 Entry
I am grateful that my son saw this obituary and forwarded it on to me. Bill was like a brother to my husband, Bert Sorensen. We lost track of Bill and Coleen when they were no longer at home in Idaho Falls area-----sure wish we had known that he was as close as Rexburg!! Perhaps he and Bert are having a great reunion. Bert passed away in August 2009. I know Bill's family will miss him. He was a wonderful man, a gentleman, and a dear friend. My love to those he leaves behind. Raeola J. Sorensen
Raeola Sorensen
April 17, 2014
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