William Schumaker

1934 - 2025

William Schumaker

William passed out of this world on September 26, 2025. He was born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1934, attended DeVilbiss High School, and earned ABA and BBA degrees from the University of Toledo. From a young age, William had a passion for electronics. He studied on his own in high school to build a Ham Radio station (W8NSL), and later earned a Commercial Broadcast License, which helped him land a job at AT&T in 1953.

William always liked belonging to something, and over the years, he participated in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Explorer Scouts-including a month-long trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in the mountains of New Mexico. William was a member of the Order of DeMolay, the Civil Air Patrol (where he joined the University of Toledo Flying Club and logged 49 solo hours), the Red Cross, Toledo Fire CERT, and served as a Cleveland Storm Spotter. He also volunteered with the Sylvania Township Police, patrolling in marked units and assisting with dispatch.

He held a concealed carry license, though he rarely used it. William served 8 years in the U.S. Naval Reserve as ETR2, stationed in Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Walker (DDE-517) with the 7th Fleet.

In high school, William met the love of my life, Carol Ann Harless, in 1952. They married in 1954. William is survived by his three grandsons, Shannon, Michael, Devon (Tori) Schumaker; great-grandchildren, Braydon, Braxtyn, Bently, Graham; and daughter-in-law, Michelle Stoffell. William was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Adeline; son, Douglas; and wife, Carol.

William's working life included positions with the 7UP Bottling Company, Toledo Edison (Underground Department), 38 years with AT&T as a Broadcast Engineer, 6 years with Toledo Clinic as an Accounting Programmer, and serving as a local agent for the CWA Telephone Credit Union. He was always Protestant in faith and actively involved in several churches: Monroe Street Methodist (Toledo), Emanuel Baptist (Toledo), Southern Baptist (Pearl Harbor), Bethany Baptist (Toledo)-where he helped establish the church and served as Treasurer-Westgate Chapel (CMA), and Perrysburg CMA, also as Treasurer.

Travel became a shared hobby between William and Carol; they traveled to 82 countries, 25 islands, and took 10 cruises, with lasting memories from China, India, Africa, Australia, Europe, and South America. They also spent many years researching their family genealogy, visiting libraries, courthouses, cemeteries, and health departments all over the country, and even traveling twice to Barbados, West Indies. Some of my genealogy research has been published in Salt Lake City, Ft. Wayne, and in several small libraries. Over the years, he was accepted into the Sons of the Civil War, Sons of the War of 1812, Sons of the American Revolution (1775), the Mayflower Society, the Jamestown Society, and the Huguenot Society.

William lived a good life filled with faith, family, service, learning, and adventure. If you're reading this, he has likely rejoined those who came before him. He leaves behind a full heart and a grateful soul.

Friends and family may call at the Reeb Funeral Home, Sylvania, OH, Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., where services will be held, followed by interment at Toledo Memorial Park, 6382 Monroe Street, Sylvania, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions can be made to The Westgate Chapel.

Online condolences to reebfuneralhome.com

www.reebfuneralhome.com