Bill was born on April 25, 1931 in Wolsey, South Dakota to William Henry and Elsie (Tack) Schwartz.

On April 26, 1952, Bill married the love of his life Jane (Schmitt) Schwartz in Hudson, Wisconsin.

Bill was a proud father to six children: James, Mary, Ruth, Rose, Donald, and David. He worked many years in St. Paul as a machinist with most of those years at Schmidt’s Brewery. He also ran a mechanic’s shop and implement dealer in Lake Elmo, MN. Bill could often be found in his garage working on some engine or another, but his favorite thing to tinker with on his farm south of Baldwin was his 47 John Deere tractors.

The Fourth of July was Bill’s favorite holiday which turned into a reunion with over 100 people often attending. Bill would get out all his John Deere tractors and start them up for everyone to hear. He would also give rides to anyone who wanted a trip around the farm. Bill even made a purple “Jane Deere” tractor for his wife Jane so she could drive in parades with him on a John Deere.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Jane who was his beloved wife for 70 years. He is mourned by his children: James (Sally) Schwartz, Mary (Jimmy) Schmidt, Ruth (Mike) McPhillips, Rose (Steve) Crabtree, Donald (Colleen) Schwartz, and David (Susan) Schwartz; 30 grandchildren; 38 great grandchildren; and 3 great-great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his parents William and Elsie Schwartz, five brothers, five sisters, one son-in-law (Steve Crabtree), one granddaughter, and one great-grandson.

A service to honor and celebrate Bill’s life will be Monday, November 25, at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Baldwin. The service will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a visitation one hour prior to the service. A meal will be held after the service at the American Legion Post 240. The family would like to thank the Baldwin Care Center, Adoray Home Health and Hospice and O’Connell’s Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to Adoray Hospice.