William C. Schneider

William (Bill) Cletus Schneider, Age 78, Fort Collins, CO, passed away at Lemay Avenue Health and Rehab after a long confinement from complications of a stroke in early, 2017. His friends at Lemay Avenue and his friend and former wife, Barbara Travis Cole were with him. Bill was born in Litchfield, Illinois to William Cletus Schneider, Sr. and Mary Lucille Tesio Schneider. He was raised in Midwest City, Oklahoma. His high school years were spent at St. Gregory’s Seminary, and he attended both St. Gregory’s University, Shawnee, OK, and Oklahoma University and received degrees in both electrical and mechanical engineering. Bill was an Amateur Radio operator for over 60 years. He had a voracious appetite for learning that included all forms of history. There wasn’t a subject he wasn’t interested in! His early career included work with the Atomic Energy Commission, followed by many years in the food service industry, designing equipment, and obtaining patents in food service equipment design. He began his final and favorite career in 1994 when he created the publishing firm, Vestige Press, located in Wellington, CO. He was dedicated to preserving the history of Colorado. His images and books he published are found throughout Larimer County. He published several books, including The History of Colorado in Postcards, authored by Charles Harbert. In the early 2000’s The Odd Fellows Hall in Wellington was restored by Bill, to house his business, and today is a thriving food and beverage establishment. One of his many contributions to local history, was witching for unmarked graves at Bingham Hill Cemetery. Bill had a wonderful singing voice and was a member of a Barber Shop chorus in New Jersey and contributed his voice to various places, including St. Joseph’s church and choir. He was previously married to the mother of his three children, Linda Schneider, (NJ) and then to his former wife and friend, Barbara Travis Cole. He and Barbara moved to Fort Collins in 1987 when Bill accepted a position as President of American Wyatt Corporation, Cheyenne, WY. He was preceded in death by his mother, father, and daughter, Annette Michelle Osborn. Annette leaves her 4 children: Matthew, Jacob, Lucas and Marie Osborn. He is survived by his daughter, Maria Lynne Schneider, grandson Xavier Silva (Kalamazoo, MI), and his son William C. Schneider III, Blackwood, NJ. Also surviving Bill are three stepsons, Scott, Jeffrey and Andrew (Jessie) Burnside and 2 step-grandsons, Benjamin and Alec. We are hoping that his trusty and much-loved Scottie dog, Rufus, who could be seen by his side walking Cleveland Avenue in Wellington, was there to greet him. Memorial Mass is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will take place at Grandview Cemetery. The family requests that any memorial donations please be made to Respite Care, Fort Collins, CO. Online donation link: https://respitecareinc.org/donate-button or by mail, checks made to Respite Care 6203 S Lemay Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80525

William C. Schneider

April 19, 2023