Official Obituary of
William James Schwartz
January 21, 1938 ~ September 29, 2017 (age 79) 79 Years Old
William Schwartz Obituary
William J. Schwartz, 79, lifelong Lawrence Lake area resident, died on Friday, September 29, 2017 in his home.
Born January 21, 1938 in Grand Rapids, he was the son of William P. and Virginia (Garner) Schwartz. Bill was married to his high school sweetheart, Sally Jo Hanson, on July 6, 1957. He loved to build things, operate equipment and was passionate about his garden and woodworking. He built many pieces of furniture for his family and friends. He loved to watch things grow; his family, his company, his dirt piles, his huge garden, and his trees. Bill started his own excavating business in 1966 with his family and operated it until his death.
His parents, William P. and Virginia (Garner) Schwartz; a daughter, Patty Metzer, and a brother, Kenneth Schwartz preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Sally Jo; children, Deb (Gary) Cleven, Tim (Shelley) Schwartz, Cathy (Marv) Castle, David Schwartz, and Bob Schwartz; 13 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; son-in-law, Brian Metzer; sisters, Mary Jane (Mike) Elich, Alice “Soupy” (Larry) Lien; a brother, Tom (Cherie) Schwartz; and special friends, Allison Buckley and Stacey Kingsley.
There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, October 7, 2017 from 1:00 PM until 4:00PM at the home of William and Sally Schwartz at 34882 Scenic Highway, Bovey, MN. In lieu of flowers or monetary gifts, if you desire, please make donations to the William J. Schwartz Laker Ballfield fund through the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation. This baseball field was a dream of Bill’s, and his way to give back to the community he so loved.
Born January 21, 1938 in Grand Rapids, he was the son of William P. and Virginia (Garner) Schwartz. Bill was married to his high school sweetheart, Sally Jo Hanson, on July 6, 1957. He loved to build things, operate equipment and was passionate about his garden and woodworking. He built many pieces of furniture for his family and friends. He loved to watch things grow; his family, his company, his dirt piles, his huge garden, and his trees. Bill started his own excavating business in 1966 with his family and operated it until his death.
His parents, William P. and Virginia (Garner) Schwartz; a daughter, Patty Metzer, and a brother, Kenneth Schwartz preceded him in death.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Sally Jo; children, Deb (Gary) Cleven, Tim (Shelley) Schwartz, Cathy (Marv) Castle, David Schwartz, and Bob Schwartz; 13 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; son-in-law, Brian Metzer; sisters, Mary Jane (Mike) Elich, Alice “Soupy” (Larry) Lien; a brother, Tom (Cherie) Schwartz; and special friends, Allison Buckley and Stacey Kingsley.
There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, October 7, 2017 from 1:00 PM until 4:00PM at the home of William and Sally Schwartz at 34882 Scenic Highway, Bovey, MN. In lieu of flowers or monetary gifts, if you desire, please make donations to the William J. Schwartz Laker Ballfield fund through the Grand Rapids Area Community Foundation. This baseball field was a dream of Bill’s, and his way to give back to the community he so loved.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William James Schwartz, please visit our floral store.
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