William “Bill” John Schild

July 16, 1940 - August 29, 2023
William “Bill” John Schild

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William J. (Bill) Schild, 83, entered life eternal on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 after a lengthy illness. He was born in 1940 in New York City to parents William Schild and Mary Delaney Schild and grew up in Flushing, New York.

Bill graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Detroit and received a master’s degree from MIT, MBA from Seton Hall University and a master’s degree in Engineering Management from New Jersey Institute of Technology. He served proudly as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and then worked for Exxon Chemical Company, a division of Exxon/Mobil, for 35 years, in Linden, New Jersey and Houston, Tx. When stationed in Virginia while in the army, he met his wife of 55 years, Jean Foxworth Schild, on a blind date.

Bill and Jean were blessed with three children who survive him; son William Thomas Schild and wife Heather, daughter Laura Schild Hay and husband David and daughter Suzanne Schild Fichter husband Jason. His grandchildren are Andrew Schild, Kate Schild, Ben Fichter, Zachary Fichter and Annabelle Fichter. He is also survived by a brother, two sisters, and many nieces and nephews. Bill and Jean lived in Middletown, NJ for 25 years. Special joys for Bill included cheering his kids various sports teams and coaching their soccer teams for many years.

Bill retired from Exxon in 1999. He and Jean relocated to Wilmington, where they lived in Landfall for 22 years. Bill was a volunteer at UNCW’s Cameron Executive Network and enjoyed mentoring business students for many years. He served on the board of the Kenan Chapel, Landfall, and was an active member of St. Mark Catholic Church, serving the congregation as an usher for many years. One of Bill’s favorite activities was golfing with his friends in Landfall. He and Jean traveled extensively during their retirement, visiting six continents and enjoying many sea cruises.

A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 at St. Mark Catholic Church, Eastwood Rd., at 12:00 noon. A reception will be held following the service at the Country Club of Landfall and all are invited to greet the family there.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kenan Chapel, Landfall,  Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, or to St. Mark Catholic Church.

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Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403.  910-791-9099.


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The funeral will take place on September 6, 2023 at 12:00 PM at St. Mark Catholic Church

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  • September 05, 2023
    Ed and Kathy Massey says:
    Our deepest condolences to Jean and family. I met Bill some years ago through his Friday golf group and enjoyed many days with him on the course. When conversation turned to family, it was obvious he deeply loved Jean and their children. He was proud of them all and celebrated their accomplishments in his own modest way. Bill was a man of honor, treated everyone with respect, and lived an exemplary life. He will be missed.

  • September 04, 2023
    Kevin Delaney says:
    When I was a kid, Uncle Bill sometimes seemed gruff and serious—he was the eldest of the group of cousins including my dad and perhaps took the first-born role seriously. But I saw his siblings would tease him and get him to laugh. And later on, thanks to visits with Uncle Bill and Aunt Jean in Paris and elsewhere, I came to find him so curious and interested in me and my work and our family. He was goodhearted and thoughtful—someone I could always expect a fun, interesting conversation with and a kind, warm, supporting manner. Lisbeth and my thoughts are with Aunt Jean and Bill, Laurie, Suzanne and their families in this loss. We have wonderful memories of Uncle Bill and are thinking of him and missing him in this moment.

  • September 02, 2023
    David and Jeamne Hay says:
    You will be greatly missed

  • September 01, 2023
    Lorraine Giffin says:
    I received my Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering in 1977 and was hired sat the Exxon Bayway chemical plant, and Bill was my first supervisor. I was only the 3rd female engineer in Bill's department. Despite his military style - clipped hair and soldier's physique - he demonstrated kindness, warmth, and support that helped me to acclimate. He loved sports talk among the young engineers and stories of my attempts at coaching the women's JV fencing team at my alma mater always got a big smile and a twinkle of the eyes from him. He was very proud of his kids and spoke so warmly of Jean. His is a lucky family.

  • August 31, 2023
    Cindy and Audre' Riley says:
    A bright light has gone out in this world. Praying for "Peace that passeth ALL understanding" for you all. There is a better home awaiting...Bill was such a blessing!! An intelligent, kind, generous man who made his corner of the world a better place and we were blessed to cross paths with him!