William Frank "Opa" Schneider

WILLIAM FRANK (OPA) SCHNEIDER Age 77 of Pearland, TX, passed away in the home that he built with his own hands on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2002. Born in Magdeburg, Germany. Bill led a very full life. He served in WWII and in 1946 met his future wife, Josephine, while he was a POW in England. They married in 1948 in a big formal Catholic wedding in England. Frank Scheller, Bill's uncle sponsored the couple for entry into the U.S. They settled in Louisiana and later moved to Houston in 1952. Bill accepted a job with NASA in 1966 where he built the calibration lab and trained the first astronauts for the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions. For his work with the Apollo 13 mission he received the presidential Medal of Freedom. Bill and Josie enjoyed singing together, they were well known entertainers in the area. Bill has been entertaining people with his accordian skill since he was 12 years of age. He was very active in the Houston area Liederkranz Club serving as president in 1977. He is survived by his loving wife, Josephine Schneider of Pearland; Sister, Margot & Wernie Gebhardt of Germany; children, William Carl Schneider of Houston, Frank Rolf and Deborah Schneider of Victoria, Linda Diane and Carl Myers of Rosenburg; Grandchildren, Kimberly & Scott Mount, Andrew & Careis Schneider, Natalie & Steven Glave, Rachel Myers; Great-Grandchildren, Maycen & Camrin Schneider, Alexander Mount; and numerous friends. Bill was greatly loved, admired and respected and will be missed by all. A Celebration of Life will be held Wed. Jan. 9 at 3 pm at SouthPark Funeral Home in Pearland.