William "Bill" Schnelle

William Schnelle, 87, of Unionville, MO, passed away at the Putnam County Care Center in Unionville on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, after a brief stay.

William J. “Bill” Schnelle was born on the family farm in Sullivan County, MO, on November 23, 1929, the son of E. J. and Doris (Mullins) Schnelle, who preceded him in death. He attended Lemons High School for two years and then graduated from Unionville High School in 1947. Bill then attended the University of Missouri at Columbia where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree. While there he was in the ROTC program and then enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1951. He was stationed in South Korea during the Korean conflict. Bill spent a total of 23 years in the service, most of it with the Iowa National Guard, where he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. He married Mary Montgomery in Dayton, OH, on August 4, 1951, and she survives at home.

Bill began his high school teaching career after his service in Korea and taught Industrial Arts and Vocational Agriculture in several schools in central Iowa. He also served as high school principal at Gilbert and Liberty Center in Iowa, retiring after over 30 years in public education. He counted among his accomplishments mentoring Harry Stine of Stine Seeds in Iowa. He and Mary moved back to the family farm in Sullivan County in 1990.

Bill was a man of varied interests including raising cows on the farm and raising produce to be sold at the Farmer’s Market. He had a boundless energy and was active in a number of areas. He enjoyed attending auctions and collecting items purchased there. He also had a large collection of “Mother Earth” magazines. Bill was a member of the Lemons American Legion and a 50 year Mason.

In addition to his wife, Bill is also survived by three sons: Roger (Jane) Schnelle of Gypsum, CO; Fred Schnelle of Unionville, MO; and Richard Schnelle of Avon, CO. He is also survived by a brother, Robert Schnelle of Elsberry, MO, and a sister, Carol Bunch of Cameron, MO, as well as several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for William Schnelle will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, September 6, 2017. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Unionville Cemetery.

Memorials for Bill are suggested to the Unionville Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.