William J. Schlegel

William Joseph Schlegel passed away peacefully on June 16, 2024, a few weeks short of his 94th birthday, at his home in Gallatin, Tennessee.

 Bill was born to Joseph and Anna (Cuda) Schlegel in Milford, NE, spent a few years of his childhood in Seward, NE, but lived most of his youth in Columbus, NE. He graduated from Kramer High School in Columbus in 1948.

 Bill attended the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and received a degree in political science.

 He married Miriam (Buchholz), also from Columbus, in 1955. After a stint with the US Army in Germany (1955-57),  Bill and Miriam moved in 1958 to Richfield, MN, a suburb of Minneapolis. Bill worked for Terrado Electric Co., North Central Electrical League, and Midwest Gas. He was a do-it-yourself handyman and owned and operated several apartment buildings and duplexes in Minneapolis. In 1980 Bill purchased a hydroponic greenhouse in Isanti, MN, growing bib lettuce and spinach.

 “Bill and Mir” were married for over 68 years. They raised four boys. Bill was a dedicated father and grandfather and enjoyed watching the many sports his sons and grandchildren participated in. In some ways it was fitting that he died on a Father's Day. Eventually Bill and Mir’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren lived in four different continents speaking Japanese, Hebrew, French and Portuguese.

In 1992 Bill and Mir moved to Chula Vista, CA to be near their son Jerry and his family. In 2018 they moved to Gallatin, TN and lived with their son Billy and daughter-in-law, Stephanie.

 Bill was an active leader in community education and politics. Like his wife Mir, he loved music. He was a drum major in his high school band. He played clarinet and saxophone and even formed a band called “Swing Time” during retirement in California. He and Mir were active square dancers.

 In addition to his parents, and his wife, Bill was preceded in death by his sisters, Joanne (Schlegel) Taylor, Lois (Schlegel) Hammer, and his granddaughter, Tomomi Takahashi.

 He is survived by his sons, Jon Schlegel, William “Billy” Schlegel and his wife Stephanie, Jerald “Jerry” Schlegel and his wife Jamie, and Todd Schlegel and his wife Maya; eleven grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

 A graveside service will be conducted at the Middle Tennessee State Veteran’s Cemetery on Thursday, June 27, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. with military honors.

 Bill was cool-headed, bright, persistent, dedicated, and charming. He liked people, and appreciated the saying “Live and let live.”