William Francis Schneider

One of God’s masterpieces has been called to his Redeemer.

William Francis Schneider, MD, age 90, passed away in the comfort of his home in De Pere, WI, on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. Bill, as he was known to his friends, was born on July 5, 1935, to Karl Schneider and Genevieve Bradley Schneider in Greendale, WI. A hardworking boy from Greendale who dug graves at the age of 12, drove his high school bus for Pius XI, and laid brick manholes for intersections in Milwaukee to pay for medical school went on to become a most dedicated and compassionate orthopedic surgeon.

Bill completed his pre-medical studies at Marquette University, where he co-founded the Jesuit Acolyte Fraternity and served at Gesu Church as an acolyte for daily noon Mass. He earned his medical degree from Marquette University School of Medicine in 1960 and completed his internship at the U.S. Air Force Hospital at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. In 1961, he also trained at Brooks AFB, TX where he earned a certificate in Aerospace Medicine. He then served as a Flight Surgeon with the Strategic Air Command at Loring AFB in Maine before returning to Milwaukee to complete his residency in orthopedic surgery. In 1967, Bill moved to Green Bay, where he founded his practice, Orthopedic Associates of Green Bay. He practiced orthopedic surgery from 1967 to 1994. He served as Chief of Surgery at St. Vincent Hospital from 1988-1990. Throughout his distinguished career, Bill presented numerous papers and lectures across the United States, as well as in the United Kingdom, France, and Switzerland.

After retiring from medicine, Bill became an accomplished watercolor artist, traveling the world to study with his mentors.

Bill met the love of his life, Sandra L. Shea, while in Medical School in Milwaukee. They married on Oct. 3, 1959 at St. Jude’s’s Church in Wauwatosa, WI. Together they had six children. They proceeded to live a life consistent with their deep Catholic faith, focused on love of God, love of family and service to others. Together they set a remarkable and steadfast example of what a loving marriage looks like. While he was known for his contribution to medicine in the Green Bay community, he will be most remembered by his family for the memories he created as a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Bill loved skiing, sailing, hunting, camping, traveling, and music. He created many family memories while taking his family on vacations related to these pastimes. With his deep booming voice he would entertain his children and later his grandchildren with his songs. He relished his time at their condominium in Sister Bay, Door County, sailing, fishing, painting, playing racehorse dominos and sharing his favorite dessert, root beer floats.

In addition to his career and great love of medicine, Bill was also an active member of the community. He volunteered at his church and was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. He served on many boards in Green Bay, including St. Francis Parish Council, Marquette University President’s Council, St. Norbert College President’s Council, The Bishop’s Crosier Society, the Heritage Hill Foundation, the Peninsula Art School, and the Unity Hospice Community Development Board. Many young men were influenced and admired by him during his years as the team doctor for the APHS football team. He was instrumental in the founding of the Medical College of WI - Green Bay. He served on the Location Search Committee, on the Student Application Review and Admissions Interviews Committee, and taught Physical Examination classes. In 2024 his contribution was acknowledged by bestowing on him an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities from MCW.

Bill is survived by his wife of 66 years, Sandra; His daughter Kathy (Steve) Denis of De Pere and their children Jessica (Tyler) Nead (Grace, Lily, James), Kaitlin (Ben) Dupslaff (Everett, Evelyn) and Steve (Maya) Denis (Liam, Kenna).

His daughter Jeanne (Paul) Ihlenfeldt of Green Bay and their children Nicole Ihlenfeldt-Lemke (Dan Lemke) (Madison), Matt (Alyssa) Ihlenfeldt (Chase), David (fiance Olivia Durocher) Ihlenfeldt, John (Brianna) Ihlenfeldt (Wren, Lennon) and Nate (fiance Alexis Galante) Ihlenfeldt.

His son Bill (Nancy) Schneider, of St. Paul, MN and their children Willie (Hillary) Schneider (Sadie, Charlotte), Joey (Jackie) Schneider and AnnaRose (Jake) Sexton.

His daughter Beth (Scott) Ehlers of Appleton and their children Brynn (Kyle) Jaschen (Elaina, Arlo, Noa), Erik (Sara) Ehlers (June) and Nolan (Zoe Markle) Ehlers.

His daughter Chris (Todd) Bessey of Algonquin, IL and their children Samantha (Cameron) Ritter, Jack Bessey and Katie Bessey.

His son John (Traci) Schneider of Seattle, WA and their children Ben Schneider and Jack Schneider.

He is further survived by his sister Mary (Harold) Shiroma, of Dallas, TX, brother-in-law Mike (Joan) Shea, nieces Lisa (Ryan) Collins and Krissie (Jeremy) Johnson, and nephew Ryan (Stacey) Shea. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Karl and Genevieve; his brother, Rev. Karl Schneider, his in-laws Harold and Dorothy Shea, and nephew Keith Shea.

We would like to thank his nurses Aleisha and Mel, his CNA Nancy, his caregiver Helena, and his social worker Kathy, for their kindness and gentle love and care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Paul’s Pantry and Unity Hospice.

Visitation will be November 6, from 9:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Dr., Ledgeview (De Pere). The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m.