William Schafer

William Paul Schafer, the son of Louis and Marie (Eberl) Schafer, was born on November 8, 1950, at the Cass County Hospital in Atlantic, Iowa and passed away December 28, 2022, in the Cass County Hospital at the age of 72 years. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, January 4th, 2023, at the First Congregational Church in Stuart. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 A.M. Thursday, January 5th, 2023 at the First Congregational Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church. Online condolences may be left at www.johnsonfamilyfuneralhome.com.

Bill grew up on the generational family farm north of Adair, where his grandson Dakota now resides as the 7th generation. Bill was baptized and confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Adair. He attended rural school Grant # 1, and graduated from the Adair-Casey High School in 1968. He attended Southwest Community College in Creston, Iowa and Northwest Missouri State College in Maryville, Missouri. In his early years he enjoyed several different jobs. He liked working at Lake Panorama and helped build the 9-hole golf course. He and his buddies were one of the very first to enjoy the new lake, and Bill was actually the very first person to ski on that lake. Lake Panorama was always a special place to Bill. Just after they were married, he and Dianne ran the marina at Lake View where they gave ski lessons and he worked on boats. They, along with their new son Tim, really enjoyed their time there. He never lost his love for boats, and he passed down his love of the lake to his entire family. Later, he was employed as a salesman for Stogdill’s TV and Appliance, Gestetner Products, and Pacesetter Companies. He often won trips, jewelry, and luxury vehicles for exceptional performance. He brought those talents home with him and later joined his younger brothers, Chris and Charlie, in Schafer Trenching, which evolved into today’s Agri-Drain. He loved product development and sales, and made lifetime friends with many of his customers and employees. During his time in business, he and his brothers developed and patented 17 different products and ideas. He passed his love for business and serving others down to his son, Tim, and other family members.

Bill retired from that career at the age of 50. After he retired, he developed a love for moving trees. At times his older brother, Ron, and son, Tim, would work with him. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed improving the land however he could.

Bill married Dianne Enright on July 9, 1970. To this union, a son, Timothy Alan, was born. They lived in several different cities during the first years of their marriage. They have lived north of Adair for the last several years.

Bill was a kind and generous man. He enjoyed people and gave of himself to many endeavors. He served many years as an elder to the First Congregational Church. He served as a board member during the construction of the new fellowship hall, and helping with this project was one of his favorite memories. Bill loved to sing and he sang to the residents of different nursing homes each month. At the close of each session, he would tell everyone, “I love you, but more importantly, God loves you, and every day you spend in His Word is a good day.” He was blessed to be able to spend the last hour of his life doing just that. He helped Dianne each year with Operation Christmas Child and it became a passion for both of them. Almost every week he and Dianne hosted their family, extended family, and any friends who wanted to attend for their “Family Dinner.” Bill did most of the cooking and loved having company. Billed loved his family and friends, and was loved by them.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Louis and Marie, brothers, Robert and Ronald, sisters-in law, Betty Schafer and Lynda Enright.

Survivors include his wife, Dianne, son, Tim and daughter-in-law, Susan, grandchildren, Dakota Schafer, McKenna (Justin) Keck, Navey (Jacob) Joliet, Cross Schafer, and great grand-daughter, Liza Keck. Also brothers, Lou (Judy) Schafer, Chris (Donna) Schafer, and Charlie (Lana) Schafer, sisters-in-law Lynette Schafer, Janet Schafer and Janon Douglas, along with a host of other relatives and many friends.

Per his wishes, he has been cremated and his ashes will be spread on the family farm at a later date.