BILL SCHMIDT

1934 - 2011

William George Schmidt, beloved husband of Debra Schmidt, passed away peacefully with his family at his side in Taber on Friday, December 2, 2011 at the age of 77 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Thursday, December 8, 2011 between 7:00 P.M. and 8:00 P.M.
The Funeral Service will be held at Knox United Church, 4929 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Friday, December 9, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. with Reverend Sandra Riddell officiating. Burial to follow at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Besides his loving wife Deb, Bill is survived by his children Jo-Anne (Conrad) Walburger of Lethbridge, Geri (Sheldon) Virostek of Enchant, Jackie (Fred) Giles of Spruce Grove, Jody Nakamura (Scott Sterr) of Lethbridge, Kevin (Bona) Schmidt of Hays and also by their mother Betty Schmidt; step children Tammy Braithwaite of Ponoka, Marty Ecklund of Blackfalds, Kelly (Chad) Adamkowski of Rocky Rapids; thirty grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings Ed (Marlene) Schmidt, Jack Schmidt (Patsy), Violet Wilson, Larry (Caroline) Schmidt, Leonard (Verna) Schmidt; Deb’s mother Kaye Ferguson and brothers and sisters-in-law Lynn (Sally) Ferguson, Brenda (Regg) Engleson, Richard (Anna) Ferguson, Jeannie Ferguson, Heather (Tom) Myndio, Kathy (Rick) Friesen and by numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents Herman and Amelia Schmidt; sisters Betty Dillman, Mary Jacobsen and Jeannie Shurtleff; father-in-law Scotty Ferguson, brother-in-law Ronald Wilson and sister-in-law Nora Schmidt.
Bill was born in Taber May 15, 1934. He attended Taber Central School until 1943 when the family moved to Penticton, British Columbia, where he finished his schooling. He returned to Taber in 1952 and worked for Wood Motors, later working on the Clarence Jesperson farm. He spent thirty one years working as a Grazing Reserve Manager in Purple Springs and Grassy Lake. He enjoyed working with blonde cattle and he participated in rodeo and horse raceing. Bill married Debra December 20, 1997. He loved camping, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family. In 2009, Bill moved to Taber, residing at the Long Term Care Centre, before moving to the Linden View Care Centre this past summer. He will be sadly missed but fondly remembered by all who knew and loved him.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Bill’s name may be made directly to the Alzheimer Society for Lethbridge and Area, 402, 740 - 4 Avenue South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 0N9.