William Schlender

Dr. William “Bill” E. Schlender, 95, of Sawyer, passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at Woodland Terrace after a lifetime of loving education and enjoying all of the experiences associated with it.

A funeral service will be held at 10 AM Friday, January 22, 2016 at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5791 Sawyer Road, Sawyer, with Reverend Randy D. Lett officiating. Friends may meet with the family from 5 -7 PM Thursday at Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Highway, Bridgman, MI. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the church, PO Box 247, Sawyer, MI 49125 or Lakeshore Rotary, PO Box 25, Stevensville, MI 49127.

Bill was born October 28, 1920, in Sawyer to the late Gustav and Marie Schlender. A graduate of Valparaiso University in 1941, he earned an MBA from the University of Denver in 1947. From 1943 - 1945, Bill served in the United States Army Sixth Infantry Division. In 1955, he earned his Ph.D. from Ohio State University. Throughout his 39 years in academia, he earned the respect and admiration of faculty members, staff and students, and the community. Bill was beloved by his family and many friends who were all immensely proud of him and his many achievements.

Throughout his career, Bill authored and co-authored numerous books and articles, while teaching undergraduate, masters and/or doctoral level courses in Business Education. He held professorships at Valparaiso University, Cleveland State University, University of Texas at Austin, Ohio State University, Bowling Green State University, University of Texas at Arlington, Columbia University and the University of Denver.

Bill was active in many civic affairs and served on a variety of boards, councils, committees, associations, clubs and societies. He also worked as a consultant to business firms and government agencies. He especially enjoyed his relationship with the Lakeshore Rotary Club. Bill spent most of his retirement years at the family homestead in Sawyer, with his wife Peggy, who preceded him in death March 2013. Though they wintered in Sun City, Arizona, it was the Sawyer home that gave them so much joy together.

He is survived by sixteen nieces and nephews, along with many life-long friends across the states and around the globe. Many will remember him as a man who worked hard, lived well, and kept learning all of his life.

Also preceding him in death were his first wife, Lee; brothers: Paul (Antoinette) Schlender, Erdman (Elvira) Schlender, Erwin (Elizabeth) Schlender, Arnold (Madeline) Schlender; Sisters: Helene and Huldina (Dr. Philip) Strasberg, and a nephew - Roger Schlender.

Visitation

5 - 7 PM ,Thursday, January 21, 2016
Pike Funeral Home, Boyd Chapel
9191 Red Arrow Hwy Bridgman, MI 49106

Funeral Service

10 AM ,Friday, January 22, 2016
Trinity Lutheran Church - Sawyer
5791 Sawyer Road Sawyer, Michigan, MI 49125

Burial

Friday, January 22, 2016
Riverside Cemetery
15480 Three Oaks Road Three Oaks, MI 49128