William Schmitt

1941 - 2025

William Schmitt
11/13/2025
On Friday, November 14, 2025, William Michael Schmitt lost his long and valiant battle against several severe medical issues, He was born in Indianapolis Indiana, on April 27, 1941. He was predeceased by his parents, Florence (Foster) and Lawrence; and his brother David (Annette). He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Louise, his son Michael (Dana) and their son James and their daughter, Lee Anne (Jeff) and their children Ruby and Ezra. He is also survived by nephew, Adam. and two nieces, Ann and Karen. He shared his love for golf with Karen and her husband Steve.
He graduated from Purdue University in 1961 with a degree in Chemical Engineering and was named one of its Outstanding Graduates in 1990. He was a a proud member of the Triangle Fraternity. He also completed the AMP program at Harvard in 1991.
Bill's first job was with Standard Oil in San Francisco. In 1965 he was transferred to Hawaii. It was a there that he met his future wife, Louise, and they were married in Montreal on December 10, 1966. At about the same time he made a career change and went to work for Olin Corporation in New York city. He remained with Olin for twenty-five years, ending his time there as President of the International Division. During his career he travelled extensively and served on several boards of companies in South Africa, Japan and Venezuela companies. Bill particularly loved his work in South Africa and returned there many times throughout his remaining life.
In 1999 Bill purchased the Hunt Imaging Company, a division of Olin, that makes toners for high speed printers. After 25 years he sold the company to three of his employees in 2001. About this same time he was invited to serve on the board for Hope for Families, a center for homeless families in Vero Beach. He was very devoted to this cause and remained on the board until recently. In August of this year they honored his service by having a Bill Schmitt celebration that coincided with the opening of the newly constructed administration building.
In his free time he loved golf and belonged to Winged Foot in Mamaroneck, NY and Bent Pine Golf Club. He was also was a social member of Quail and Sea Oaks. When he was no longer able to play golf, he enjoyed playing gin rummy with friends at Bent Pine.
Bill was a friendly, generous and kind man, loved by many, but none more so than by his family. His family was extremely important to him, and he was a wonderful husband and father and grandfather. A service honoring his life will be held at the Community Church of Vero Beach on Tuesday November 25, 2025 at 10:30am followed by a reception at Bent Pine Golf Club.
The family would like to thank Dr. Richard Franco, who brought Bill back from death's door more than once. We are also grateful to Rev. Beverly Zell of the Community Church for her kind support. We want to thank the ladies from the VNA Home Health Care Organization for their dedicated and tender care of Bill during his last days.
In lieu of flowers the family requests that for those who wish to honor Bill 's memory, a donation to the Hope for Families organization would be appreciated. The address is: Hope for Families Center, 720 4th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32962.
Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home, Vero Beach.
An online guestbook is available at CoxGiffordSeawinds.com