William F. Schmidt

William F. Schmidt, 84, retired Boeing engineering supervisor, died Friday, September 9, 2016. Born November 11, 1931 in Beloit, KS, he was the son of Valentine and Katherine (Walsh) Schmidt. He received his early education at St. Johns School in Beloit, and attended St. Benedicts College, Atchison, for two years. While at St. Benedicts he met Marian Courtney whom he married on November 26, 1953, in Topeka. In 1954, he received a BS in mechanical engineering from Kansas State and later earned a Masters in mechanical engineering from Wichita State. He was employed by Westinghouse in Kansas City, MO for six years before joining Boeing where he served 30 years. He was an avid supporter of Wichita professional baseball and a charter member of the Wranglers booster club. He enjoyed gardening and reading, especially books about history. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Marian; sons, Michael Schmidt of Ames, IA, Joseph Schmidt of Belleville, IL; daughters, Catherine (John) Green of Hutchinson, KS, Mary Schmidt of Wichita, KS; 10 grandchildren; 1 great-grandchild. He also leaves two brothers, Arnold Schmidt and Leonard Schmidt; sisters, Loretta Fisher and Charlotte Splawn. He was preceded in death by brothers, John and Raymond Schmidt. Rosary will be at 7:00 pm, Monday, September 12, 2016, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 am, Tuesday, September 13, 2016, at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Burial at Ascension Cemetery. Memorials have been established with Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 E. Central Ave., Wichita, KS 67202 and National Kidney Foundation, 30 E. 33rd St., New York, NY 10010. Downing & Lahey Mortuary - East Chapel.