William "Bill" Henry Schultz

William "Bill" Schultz, 75, of Aurora, Colorado, passed away on April 6, 2024, after bravely battling Alzheimer's disease. 

Born on February 28, 1949, in Camden, New Jersey, Bill was the cherished son of Eugene and Thelma Schultz. He grew up in Schenectady, New York, alongside his siblings, Patsy and Gene.

Bill pursued his studies at The University of Southern Connecticut, where he excelled on an athletic/academic scholarship, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education and Recreation in May 1973. His thirst for knowledge led him to attain a Master of Science degree in Public Administration through a joint program with the University of Connecticut and Yale University.

After a ski trip to the Rocky Mountains, Bill followed his heart to Colorado, where he found not only a new home in Aurora, but also his life partner, Patricia Campbell. They exchanged vows on June 8, 1978, at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora. Their union was blessed with three daughters, Jenine, Brittany, and Courtney.

Bill dedicated over three decades of his life to civil service with the Department of the Army from June 1978 to his retirement in July 2008. During his career with the Department of the Army he and his family moved all over the world.  

He began his career in Taegu, South Korea as the Director of Youth Activities, Area Operations South USAROK.  From South Korea, he returned to the US to be the Youth Activities Director at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center where his first daughter, Jenine,  was born. From there Bill, Pat, and Jenine moved to Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan where he served as the Community Skills Development Activity Director. The family then moved to Vilseck, Germany where Bill was the Director of Community and Family Activities 7A CATC. His next assignment was in Northern Germany at Osterholz-Sharmbeck, as the Community Director for Garlstetd 2D AD(F).  

After five years, the family moved back to the US to Las Cruces, New Mexico where Bill became the Director of the Family Support Division at White Sands Missile Range.  There, his second daughter, Brittany, was born.  The growing family then moved to Fort Drum, New York 10^th Mountain Division where Bill served as the Deputy Director of Personnel and Community Activities.  While in New York the family became complete with the arrival of Courtney.

Bill’s next assignment was at Fort Indiantown Gap in Pennsylvania, as the Director of Personnel and Community Activities. He eventually returned to Taegu, South Korea as the Director of Community Activities for the 20^th Support Group. During this work assignment, Pat and the girls remained in Hershey, Pennsylvania

Upon Bill’s return to the United States, the family moved to Poquoson, VA where Bill took the position of Program Manager of Community and Family Activities at Fort Eustis. This would be his last assignment, as he then retired after 30 years of civil service. In retirement he continued to keep busy working in a local kayak shop and bike store.  

Beyond his professional endeavors, Bill was a fervent sports enthusiast. During high school, he played football, golf, and tennis, and he was on the track team.   He had an athletic/academic scholarship to Southern Connecticut University, where he played football for four years. During that time, he also developed a love for lacrosse. 

After moving to Colorado, he continued his love for all things physical.   In the winter he enjoyed skiing and was especially fond of the Back Bowls of Vail. In other months he hiked, golfed, and played tennis, flag football, and softball. As Bill and his family grew older, his interests continued to develop. He eventually began to run marathons, which morphed into triathlons. There his interest in biking and kayaking evolved into a passion. While in Virginia he began road biking both individually and with teams.   He eventually acquired the nickname “Biker Bill” from his daughters’ friends,  as you never knew where you might see him coming or going from a ride.

His love for sports was rivaled only by his devotion to his family. He could be found going along on Girl Scout overnights and trips; coaching and co-coaching soccer teams; cheering on his cheerleaders; and supporting and helping with school projects.  Vacations were always fun because dad was always up to doing anything and everything with his girls.  He was the dad who would come to babysit the granddaughter and complete a “daddy do” list of projects, enjoying every minute of it.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife, Patricia; daughters Jenine (David Reed), Brittany (Grant Cheatham) with an expected granddaughter in May 2024, and Courtney; granddaughter Cadence; sister Patsy; brother Gene, along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and Thelma Schultz.

Bill and Pat returned to Aurora, CO for his final years. Some of his last great memories were walking his beloved dog, Murphy, around the neighborhood and at local parks. The family welcomes donations to establish a memorial bench in honor of Bill's memory, where loved ones can reflect on his life and legacy.

A Celebration of Life will be held in Aurora, Colorado, during the summer, with another gathering planned for Williamsburg, Virginia. Friends and family are invited to join in honoring Bill, with further details to be announced.