William Ralph Schilz

William Ralph Schilz entered into eternal life July 28, 2021 at 88 years old. Husband of Joyce who passed a little over a year ago. He is survived by children Cathleen Schilz, Joanne Schilz, Lois Lukas (Scott), and Carl Schilz (Julie). Grandchildren Benjamin, Ryan (fiancé Morgan Moczynski), and William (Nieva). Brother to Leonard (Ruth), Mary, and Joan. Brother-in law of Duane (Dianne) Roffers. He is further survived by more than fifty nieces and nephews. Bill was part of a large Catholic family that settled in Bay View, Wisconsin. Bill was a third generation Milwaukeean on his dad Leonard’s side, while his mother Louise was of the first generation born in Milwaukee. Brothers and sisters include those mentioned above as well as members that have passed away including Rodney (KIA in World War II), Richard (Anne), Georgine, Betty Lou (Chuck), brother in-laws Erv Hofmann and Dick Springer, Jim (Sarah), Carolyn (Tom), Barbara (Dick), Tootsie (Pat), and the babies Thomas and Ruth. Family was key to Bill’s life and whenever the Schilz family gathered, Bill could be found holding the latest baby, spinning a new bride across the dance floor, toasting with family and friends, and taking photographs of it all. As a young man water and ice cream were big parts of his life. He talked frequently about working at an ice cream factory and took the street car to serve it at the Wisconsin State Fair. He always reminded his children that chocolate was made on Friday with all the leftovers from the week. Bill was a high school swimmer and claimed he swam out to the break wall at the South Shore Yacht Club. It was there that he became a sailor. He raced to Mackinaw Island and traveled Route 66 out to San Diego, California, to sail in the Pacific in the early fifties. He also developed skills in woodworking and plumbing that later helped him become a toolmaker and a jack-of-all- trades. After a stint in the army where a high score on a heavy equipment operator exam kept him from going to Korea, he met Joyce Roffers on a blind date at the Cudahy Bowling Center. Throughout his adult life bowling was a popular pastime. He would throw the ball halfway down the lane trying for a loud strike. The date was a setup by his sister Georgine. They married in 1957, build a house in Cudahy and began having children. At first, they had all girls but later came the long-awaited son. Bill would make shakes, malts and floats almost on a regular schedule for his family, keeping up his skills from the ice cream factory. He practiced the unicycle in the basement during the winter and could juggle 3 balls at once with ease. When summer came the family piled into the car to visit Brown’s Lake where Bill would swim out so far, he could hardly be seen. At the end of summer, there would be the annual Poker Club picnic in Whitnall Park. Brothers and brothers-in-law would play at each other’s homes during the year and celebrate with family on Labor Day Weekend. The rope swing that launched children from the top of a picnic table was Bill’s contribution to the fun. Into all of our lives challenges have to be overcome and his came when Joyce was diagnosed with MS, an illness she ended up living with for fifty years. While going to boy scout events with Carl, and taking yearly trips with his children, he was Joyce’s caregiver before that term was coined. Grandma Roffers helped with some everyday things like laundry but as Joyce progressed, Bill took over tasks like giving her shots and taking care of what she needed. He continued to watch over her every day after she went into care. Despite the challenges with Joyce, for holidays and birthdays, Bill made sure his children knew they were loved by decorating birthday cakes in his precise and careful style and spending several days preparing the annual Thanksgiving feast. He always bragged that he made everything but the pies. For his career Bill was an inspector at Louis Allis and when his brother Leonard started his own tool shop, Bill joined him along with their brother Jim. He worked as a toolmaker at Lenard Tool in St. Francis until retiring in 2000. Retirement brought more time to spend with his grandsons and more time to be active. He and Joyce watched Will on a regular schedule until Will started school. Plus, there was baseball and soccer for Ben and Ryan he could attend. He played league golf at Grant Park and would step into threesomes at some of the longer courses in the area. Favorite courses were Ives Grove and Oakwood. He would also ride his ten-speed bike through Grant and Warnimont Parks when the bike trail was built. Bill was always finding ways to stay fit, even jumping rope in the living room with a piece of clothes line. After his busy week he relaxed with popcorn and a beer on Friday nights, eating out of the kettle to save on dishes. He also honed his skills as a bread maker, baking raisin bread and Thanksgiving cranberry bread. Faith was an important aspect of Bill’s life. He and Joyce were founding members of St. Sylvester’s Parish where Bill served as an usher for many years. Attending the yearly festival to support the church led to an amazing run of luck as he won 2 television sets and at least one case of brandy after buying raffle tickets. Daughter Joanne even pulled her dad’s name as the winner one year. As he began to decline, his children took over being his caregivers as he had been for Joyce. He was eventually diagnosed with dementia and the long process of losing him had begun. Bill was a role model for how to be a caring husband of sixty-two years, an involved parent, and a loving grandparent. We will miss his easy laugh, his kindness, and his gentle nature. He was a good guy. We will honor Bill on August 4, 2021 with a visitation and service at Divine Mercy Parish in South Milwaukee. Visitation is from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with the funeral mass and military honors to follow. The family invites attendees to Pat’s Oak Manor for a luncheon.