O. William "Bill" Schmidt

O. WILLIAM “Bill” SCHMIDT, 95, of Bellville, Texas, passed away Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Houston, Texas.

He was born November 25, 1927, in Des Moines, Iowa, the son of Otto Wilheim and Ilena May Scott Schmidt.  Bill grew up and attended schools in the Des Moines area, graduating from Roosevelt High School.  He enlisted in the United States Army during World War II.

During the depression, he and his dad would go rabbit hunting for food.  Since then, he could not ever eat rabbits again.  His mother on the other hand lived in the country on a farm and had all the food she needed.

Bill was united in marriage to Eleanor Faye Begg, on September 18, 1947, in Des Moines, Iowa.  When he and Elly were dating, he drove an old car with a hole in the floorboard.  He proposed to her during a snowstorm by saying, “We had better get married soon or we will freeze to death.”  They had a simple wedding at the courthouse in Des Moines.

He was in his late 40s with a daughter in college.  Being a man strong in his faith, he knew God would provide a job.  He started with Whittenburg Insurance Agency.  Later, he and Roger Klein bought the agency and Bill sold it when his business partner passed away.  The Gem Agency purchased the company from Bill and with that brought a friendship that lasted until Bill’s passing.  He worked in the insurance industry all his working career.   He always worked harder than anyone else because he did not have a college degree like his coworkers did.  He and his family moved to many places when he was employed with Travelers Insurance Company.  They asked him to move to a city that needed some guidance and improvement.  They lived in Des Moines, Chicago, then back to Des Moines, Cleveland, then finally they settled in Houston.  In the late 60’s, the company asked him to move to Detroit.  Hell traveled to Detroit to see what he thought of the city and decide if it was a fit for him and his family and upon returning home, Bill resigned from Travelers.

Bill had his pilot’s license and flew as a co-pilot with Mr. Whittenburg in his plane.  There were many stories he had during the time he was flying with his buddy.

Once Bill retired, he and Elly moved to Bellville.  They started RV camping and traveling to many different places around the world.  To name few places they visited were the Panama Canal, Alaska, and Jerusalem.  Bill and Elly made their way to Jerusalem twice and when they were there on one of the trips they ran into Mike Newman.  The second time they went to Jerusalem was the same exciting trip as before, because there were many military soldiers carrying guns, and being a World War II veteran, this made their time there a little more unsettling.

In the service, Bill was a Sergeant, he assisted the surgeon.  He said, “Mash had more stuff than they had.”

He was a volunteer for the sheriff’s department in Harris County and the Bellville Police Department.  Bill was a member of the Bellville Methodist Church, Meals on Wheels for 10 years, and Bellville Masonic Lodge #223 for 50 years, where he served as the Worship Master.  Bill was also a member of the Bellville Lions Club, a Shriner, Bellville Methodist men, and a Councilman for the City of Bellville for many years.

Bill was well-known to many in Bellville.  In his later years, he would ride his golf cart all over town.  From Brookshire Bros. to physical therapy and many places in between.  He was also known for his special cap that he wore daily.  In many restaurants he would frequent, people would read his cap and thank him for his service, there have been many times he would get free meals, and his daughter said, “It paid to go out to eat with Dad” He will be remembered for his sweet demeanor and soft smile.  His quaint personality was a trait that everyone loved.  If you were blessed to have gotten to sit down and hear the many stories of his past and how proud he was to have learned all the lessons of each season of his life, you would see a very humble man that saw so much during his 95 years on this earth.

Bill is survived by his daughter: Pat Marquis; grandchildren: Chris Kosler and her husband, Matt, John Marquis, and Brian Marquis and his wife, Giova; great-grandchildren: Lauren, Kathryn, and Michael Kosler, Madelyn, and John Marquis, III, and Gavin, and Grant Marquis; and many other family members and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife: Otto W. and Ilena Schmidt.

Pallbearers are Brian Marquis, John Marquis, Matt Kosler, Michael Kosler, John Marquis, III, and Gavin Marquis.

Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to either:

Bellville Masonic Lodge #223
PO Box 577
Bellville, Texas 77418


Bellville Methodist Church
PO Box 188
Bellville, Texas 77418