William Allen Schulz

William Allen Schulz, 73, of Greenfield, Wisconsin, passed away at 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Born on July 21, 1952, in Chicago, Illinois, Bill was the son of William and Dorothy (Hill) Schulz. He grew up in Carpentersville, Illinois, alongside his four sisters, Cathe, Nanci, Jane, and Susie, and his brother, Bob. He graduated from Irving Crown High School, attended Northern Illinois University, and received his BA in 1976.

From an early age, Bill was fascinated by archaeology and space exploration. Driven by this passion, he spent a year pursuing graduate studies and worked on a dig at Cohokia Mounds, a large pre-Columbian settlement north of St. Louis. After graduation, Bill worked as a roofer to pay off his college loans and build his investments. Following an injury, he transitioned to a position as a customer service manager for Wagner Copiers.

Bill's lifelong passion was the stock market, and his focus was on his investments. Entirely self-taught, he embraced both the risks and rewards of investing: trading options, day trading, and eventually focusing on long-term investments. He fully embraced the business channels, always keeping tabs on the stock ticker. One of his greatest pleasures was teaching his children and others his philosophy and investment strategies.

He met the love of his life, Elizabeth "Libby" Cooper, when his mother insisted he provide the truck-and the muscle-to help her move. That favor led to a lifetime together. Bill and Libby were married on June 2, 1984, beginning a partnership built on love, resilience, and adventure.

Their early married years were marked by frequent moves, beloved pets, and new beginnings. Bill once brought home a small black kitten, Homer, from a job site, transported in his cooler, which resulted in an unexpected move due to a no-pets policy. Later came Dundee, a dog cleverly lured upstairs with bacon, prompting yet another relocation to Cherokee Street in Lake in the Hills, Illinois.

In 1994, Bill became a father to Robert William, and in 1996 to Christine Elizabeth. His children were the light of his life. After believing for years that they would not have children, and even planning a trip to Europe, Bill embraced fatherhood wholeheartedly. From that moment forward, everything was viewed through the lens of raising, supporting, and enjoying his children.

He was determined that Bobby and Christine would grow up surrounded by love and encouraged to pursue their dreams. Because Bill himself could not swim, he insisted his children take swimming lessons. He coached Little League, just as his father had coached him, and never missed a game. He passed along his love of baseball to Bobby and cheered Christine on in her riding pursuits, often worrying she was too small for the horse, then grinning and declaring, "But she's fierce. She'll keep them in line."

Education was non-negotiable. Bill made it clear that his children would attend college; where they went and what they studied was entirely up to them. His mission was to ensure they understood they had choices and that achieving those choices required effort. When they practiced or studied, he would offer one firm word: "Focus." When plans fell apart, he was always ready to help, followed by steady reminders: "Ever forward", "Pivot", and "Persevere."

An avid sports fan, Bill loved the Chicago Bears and gathered with friends at his mother's home to watch games, bet quarters, and keep their own friendly pool. These traditions continue today with his son. A devoted White Sox fan, he delighted in trading barbs with his brother Bob, a loyal Cubs supporter. He also inherited his grandfather's love of horse racing. He frequently visited Arlington Park, and later in life often passed quiet Saturdays watching the races on TV, setting friendly bets with Libby and the kids. On the morning of his nephew's wedding, Bill and Bobby made sure to stop at Arlington to place a bet before heading to the ceremony-arriving on time, much to the amazement of their female relatives. Bill and Libby enjoyed golfing together in the early years of their marriage, and he later taught both of his children to play.

Bill's interests spanned a wide variety of topics. He was an avid reader, enjoying thrillers, Mitch Rapp, Sci-fi and fantasy, and Tolkien's Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. He loved a good discussion and was happy to take the opposing side if it would liven things up, especially when discussing politics, and doubly so during debates with his late father-in-law, Morgan Cooper. He loved the holidays, especially Christmas, and enjoyed having everyone over for a meal and a game of poker or pool or both. For quieter times, he would always be happy to have a game of chess.

Bill lived by the belief that if you wanted to do something, be something, or believe something, you pursued it fully. He knew life would not be easy and relished a good fight. He believed that if something did not challenge you, knock you down, and demand your best effort, it was not worth doing. Life gave him his share of battles, and he met them head-on.

Above all, Bill stood by his wife and children. He would step in front of them to shield them from harm, comfort them in difficult times, and surround them with unwavering love. Together, he believed anything was possible.

He was a man of laughter, enthusiasm, and boundless curiosity, the most social "anti-social" man you could ever meet. He found joy in watching the birds, debating ideas, cheering on his teams, fiercely backing Libby, and celebrating his children's accomplishments. He was immensely proud to see them grown, married, established in their careers, and building homes and lives of their own.

For Bill, life was an adventure, and he embraced it fully. He will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Libby; his children, Robert William and Christine Elizabeth; his siblings; extended family; and many friends. He is with us always.

To plant a tree in memory of William Allen Schulz, please visit our Tribute Store.