William Schumacher
Born: July 10, 1931 in Toluca, IL
Died: August 11, 2021 in Chicago, IL
William "Bill" Schumacher, 90, of Chicago, Il, passed away Wednesday, August 11, 2021 at home.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 11 am Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at St. Columba Church, Rev. David Kipfer officiating. Arrangements entrusted to the Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Rutland Cemetery.
William was born July 10, 1931 in Toluca, Il, to Herman and Lorene (Cinnamon) Schumacher.
In the late 1950s through the 1960s, William was instrumental in founding and leading the St. Columba Boys' Choir. He also taught religion classes at both St. Columba and Marquette High School.
William moved to Chicago in 1979. He was a member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra chorus. Bill capped his professional career as a trust officer at Unibank Trust Co. in the Sears Tower.
He is survived by his partner R. Bret Ruiz and many friends.
William was preceded in death by his parents.
The online guest book may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.ottawafuneralhome.com
Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory
1111 LaSalle St, Ottawa Illinois 61350
815-433-0300
www.ottawafuneralhome.com

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Published by My Web Times from Aug. 18 to Aug. 21, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
for William Schumacher

Sponsored by Ottawa Funeral Home.

5 Entries

Bret Ruiz

August 6, 2025

I think of you each day. You were my partner, best friend, and champion. Winnie sends you cat kisses and hugs.

Bret Ruiz

August 6, 2023

You were the sunshine in my life. Winnie and I think of you everyday and we both miss your bright smile. Amor aeternus.

Bret Ruiz on behalf of Dan Ursini

August 23, 2021

Remembering Bill Schumacher
I have known Bill Schumacher since my grade school years at St. Columba in Ottawa. However, my friendship with him took off much later, after his move to Chicago in the 80´s. His banking career brought him to the Loop, where I also worked. We met occasionally over coffee for the next 30 years, and I will miss the enduring pleasures of his company.
Bill brought a great deal to a conversation. He had a quick subtle mind and a remarkable memory-particularly for the defining details about his friends´ lives. When a friend had a personal story to share, Bill was the perfect audience. If you had a setback or any other adversity, he responded with vast reserves of compassion and goodwill. Best of all, he had that rare gift for making a friend feel thoroughly understood.
A born storyteller, Bill could hold forth on virtually any subject. At times he would share accounts of singing in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra chorus; of the subtle interpersonal finessing needed for his work as a trust officer; of experiencing epiphanies of beautiful spirituality suddenly, in the late afternoon hours of an autumn day. What Bill most enjoyed talking about was music. He loved church music, popular music, symphony music, opera. He had multiple advanced degrees in music. Bill never called attention to his erudition, but it registered in the background of everything he said.
It was also transparent when listening to him perform as an organist. A highlight of my friendship with Bill occurred when my wife Valerie and I attended a service at Chicago´s Second Presbyterian Church when he was guest accompanist. This landmark Gothic Revival church boasts Tiffany windows, an Arts and Crafts interior-and a pipe organ that is a grand hybrid instrument of rarefied components. Bill performed the challenging music with confidence and ease, bringing alive the spiritual grace within it. He understood the presence of grace in all its forms, spiritual and otherwise. I am sure these moments brought him a splendid kind of fulfillment. Like everyone who knew Bill, I pray that this fulfillment continues, now that he is truly home.

By Dan Ursini

Gladys Alleman

August 22, 2021

Breit Ruiz, Sorry for your loss,I think you and Bill had been togather long time. I am sorry he was unable to talk when I called on his birthday.
I was planning on attending funeral,but I got into some weeds have nasty rash,with hot weather not good place for me to be. Prayers to you. Brother Jim is planning at least being at Rutland cemetary,I spoke to him short time ago of the event. Prayers to you.

The Staff of Ottawa Funeral Home

August 18, 2021

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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