In Memoriam - William "Bill" Schneider '51 - Saint John's Prep

William “Bill” J. Schneider
July 28, 1933 – November 15, 2023

William “Bill” J. Schneider, age 90, of Victoria passed away Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at St. Victoria Catholic Church (8228 Victoria Dr) in Victoria with Father Bob White as Celebrant of the Mass. Visitation Monday, November 20, 2023, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and 1 hour prior to the Mass on Tuesday, all at the church. Interment in the church cemetery.

Bill was born in Victoria, where he has lived his entire life. He attended Victoria Catholic grade school for grades 1-8 and then enrolled at Saint John’s Prep in Collegeville for grades 9-12 where he participated in both baseball and basketball programs. He completed one year at St. John’s College before being recruited by Dick Siebert to play baseball for the University of Minnesota Gophers starting in the fall of 1952. Before the baseball season began, Bill enlisted in the Navy along with his younger brother Bert following in the footsteps of their four older brothers.

Prior to his enlistment, Bill met Donna Hudinsky from St. Bonifacius and after a 3-year long distance relationship – they married in 1955. After the Navy, Bill and Donna moved back to Victoria to be closer to family and to resume playing baseball and pitching for the Victoria Vics where he earned his nickname “Bullet Bill”. He was elected to be Carver County Auditor in 1962 and continued in that position until 1978. Bill and Donna raised 5 children and was a proud and loving dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa and took an active role in coaching their basketball, baseball, and softball teams. Bill was a long-time member of the Victoria Fire Department. After his successful baseball career, he became an avid golfer and fisherman. He enjoyed being outdoors, on a golf course, in a boat, on a beach in Florida, at the track at Canterbury Downs, and spending time with his family.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents John and Helen Schneider; wife, Donna Schneider; infant son William; brothers, Jim (June) Schneider, Phil (Marie) Schneider, Paul (Joyce) Schneider, Tom (Donna) Schneider, Jack (Mary Jean) Schneider, Bert Schneider; sisters Germaine (Don) Jesberg, Jeanette (Bob) Schug.

Bill is survived by his loving family: sons and daughters-in-law Randy and Meg Schneider of Minnetonka, Dan and Joan Schneider of Ottertail; daughters and sons-in-law Paula and Dave Ward of Chanhassen, Ellen and Kevin Rolf of Victoria, Beth and Craig Hallett of Minnetrista; grandchildren Tara (Rob) Wagener, Krista (Andrew) Chadbourn, John Schneider, Alizabeth Schneider, Emma Schneider, Rachel Ward, Jake Ward, Julia Ward, Abby (Noah) White, Maggie Rolf, Jack (Alli) Hallett, Alexandra Hallett; great-grandchildren Gray and Dell Wagener; sister-in-law Josie Schneider of California; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Allen (Elaine) Hudinsky of Waconia, Virgie (Jim) Kunze of Waconia, Carol (Lee) Stahlke of St. Bonifacius, Sue (Jim) Artmann of Hill City; nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.