William E. Schmearer III

William "Bill" Elwood Schmearer, III, died peacefully on October 11, 2025, at the age of 87. He was the beloved husband of Dorothy (nee Schorman); devoted father of Andee Schmearer, Bill Schmearer, IV, and wife Kristy, Cathy Lawson and husband Pete, Larry Wagner and wife Sue; loving grandfather of David, Michael, Jenn, Summer, Sarah, Olivia, and Avery; loving great-grandfather of Sophie, Hudson, Nora, and Julius; dear brother of the late Nancy Schmearer O'Dell; and the loving uncle of Julie Bloom and husband John.

Bill grew up on Third Street in Pottstown, PA, where he was reading the newspaper by the age of 5. His wit, jokes, puns, and antics for which he was famously known also began at a young age, as did his love of music, specifically jazz. At age 14, Bill began studying jazz piano and, as a teen, formed a 6-piece jazz combo, "The Kingsmen", the beginning of a long and successful music career. Bill attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he met the love of his life, Dorothy. After obtaining a bachelor's degree in music, he and Dorothy wed in 1961, started a family shortly thereafter, and were a happily married team for 64 years.

Bill's teaching career began in Pottstown at Central Junior High School before he then served as Director of Bands and Supervisor of Music in the Spring-Ford School District for 23 years. Bill continued his legacy as music educator at a place very special to him, New England Music Camp. While there, he served many roles, most notably as Director of Jazz Studies, until he retired in 2021 at the age of 83. Bill was also the Assistant Director of the Pottstown Symphony Orchestra for 9 years where the audience always looked forward to "Santa Bill's" appearance at the holiday concerts. Audiences also enjoyed attending jazz vespers where Bill and friends would bring down the house with his rendition of "When the Saints go Marching In." What meant the most to Bill in his long and successful career, however, was fostering the love of music in young people.

Bill was a lifelong member of the Elks Club, past president and two-time Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and an Elder at First Presbyterian Church of Pottstown. His musical accolades include membership in Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Phi Beta Mu and what meant the most to Bill was fostering the love of music in young people.

Bill will best be remembered for that twinkle in his eye and his generous and kind spirit. In the words of many of his former students, colleagues, and friends, Bill was a teacher, conductor, pianist, jokester, friend, and mentor who loved a good "Dad" joke. Bill always, without fail, called you by name, had a smile, and made time to be available to you for whatever you needed and for however long it took. Bill deeply loved his wife Dorothy, adored his family, and cherished his innumerable friendships. Bill Schmearer left an indelible mark in the lives of so many.

The family invites you to celebrate Bill's life on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at First Presbyterian Church, 750 N. Evans Street, Pottstown, PA, with a reception at 9:30 am, to share favorite Bill stories and jokes, followed by a service at 10:30 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the New England Music Camp Bill and Dorothy Schmearer Scholarship for Jazz Studies https://nemc.org/donate/