Schuett, William G. Jr. “Bill” Of Mequon. Bill passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Thursday, June 14, 2012 at the age of 54. Beloved husband for 23 years of Katherine (nee Rochford). Loving father of Emily Frances Schuett and William G. Schuett III “Will”. Dear son of Betty Jean and the Late William G. Schuett Sr. Preceded in death by his firstborn son John Charles Schuett and his grandparents. Further survived by other relatives and friends.
Bill lost his long and courageous battle after 12 years with Multiple Myeloma. He was a voracious reader, enjoyed politics and history, loved fine wine and food, enjoyed the arts, especially the opera and was a great Packer fan. He had a passion for outdoor pursuits, loved fishing, and hunting with his black labs. Bill loved spending time up north at the cabin, on Oconomowoc Lake and at home in Mequon with family and our dog Lucy around him. Bill was a cancer advocate who always gave others hope. He was generous, loyal, dignified, devoted and honest to a fault. He was most proud of his Emily and Will and all of their accomplishments.
Bill was a graduate of Greendale High School, Marquette University and John Marshall Law School. He also pursued additional graduate studies at Marquette University. Bill started his career as an attorney in a small law firm in Minneapolis. After moving back to Wisconsin he became Sr. Vice President, Associate General Counsel and Director of Security Bank. After the sale of Security Bank, Bill became president of the William G. Schuett Sr. and Betty Schuett Foundation. Bill was a longtime director of the Florentine Opera Company and a Trustee at University School of Milwaukee.
Beside his family, Bill’s greatest love was nature. He began hunting and fishing adventures with his father at a very young age. Bill hunted in 43 consecutive deer hunts and fly fished the rain forest of Belize while still on chemotherapy. He lived for the birds and animals that graced his world, always seeking the perspective found in this William Wordsworth poem:
This World Is Too Much For Us
The world is too much for us; late and soon, getting and spending,
we lay waste our powers: Little we see in nature that is ours;
We have given our heart away, a sordid boon!
The family would like to thank the caring nurses and doctors in the Cancer Center at Froedtert Hospital. A special thank you to Dr. Parameswaran Hari for his friendship, brilliance, dedication and the hope he gives every Multiple Myeloma patient. Also thank you to the caregivers who were with Bill until the end.
Fighting the battle with Multiple Myeloma became a full time job for Bill and his family. There were 4 stem cell transplants, 2 performed at Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN and 2 at Froedtert Hospital. Over the years there were 3 very complicated surgeries, numerous radiation treatments along with nearly continuous cycles of Chemotherapy. Bill fought his battle with courage, grace and dignity. He was admired by many for the bravery with which he faced his illness. He has taught us great lessons and we hope to live our lives as fully as he has. We will carry you in our hearts with every breath we take. We love you dad, son, brilliant husband, my bionic man.
Friends may greet the family at the funeral home from 4-8 PM on Monday, June 18. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Tuesday June 19 at LUMEN CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH; 2700 West Mequon Road, corner North Range Line Road in Mequon (please meet at church). Entombment will be private. Memorials in Bill’s name may be directed to the Blood and Marrow Transplant program at the Medical College of Wisconsin, the University School of Milwaukee, the Blood Center of Wisconsin, the Florentine Opera or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
