William "Bill" George Schammel

On Thursday, March 27, 2025, William G. "Bill" Schammel died at the age of 76 after a 10-year battle with Parkinson’s and a 15-year battle with heart disease.

Bill was the elder son of the late John Earl Schammel, Sr. and Bernice Mae Middleditch.  He was preceded in death by his older half-brother, Wayne H. Palmer.  For most of his life, he resided at his family’s home on Evergreen Avenue in Hamilton, where he was a dependable, friendly, and giving neighbor.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Alicia Marie Wilmes, and son-in-law, Kieran; grandsons: Brendan, Miles, and Xavier Wilmes; younger brother John E. Schammel, Jr. and sister-in-law, Sandy; elder half-sister the former Patricia Schammel; former spouse and friend Heide Schammel; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and lots who called him friend.

Born and raised in Baltimore, Bill was a three-sport letterman at Mergenthaler High for football, basketball, and baseball, where he excelled in the photo-lithography training program. He was an active participant and volunteer at his church, having served as a Subdeacon and choir member.  From 1969 to 1971, he served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant.

Bill was a very hardworking and dedicated employee and a kind and decent manager to those employees who reported to him.  He utilized his training in printing at Maryland Cup Corporation, which was later acquired by Sweetheart Cup and then Solo Cup.  From there, Bill worked for Oles Envelope Company where he transitioned into shipping and warehousing management.  He later served in those roles with Genco Corp. and Sleepy’s.  He earned recognition for his years of service and excellence from each of his employers.

Bill loved all sports and was a huge fan of the Orioles, Ravens, and Terrapins. Bill was a pretty decent golfer and Duckpin bowler.  In the 1980s and 90s, he bowled in many leagues and tournaments.  Bill played on and coached several softball teams.  He loved to bike long distances like the North Central Railroad Trail that went from Hunt Valley to the state line.  He liked to fish and go camping in his later years, too.

He also loved music. The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, The Moody Blues, Queen, and many other classic rock groups were some of his favorites.  He enjoyed working with a music therapist at the end of his life through hospice services. And he loved going to the movies. His last trip to the movie theater was with his daughter to see The Rise of Skywalker at the beginning of 2020 before the pandemic started, when he was already in Assisted Living.  It was a real struggle to get him there, make it safely through the entire movie, and have his medication not wear off, but he did it.  It is sad to think about all the good movies he has missed out on watching since then.

Bill enjoyed eating good food and cooking, especially at Thanksgiving.  He had a good chili recipe, sweet rather than spicy.  He loved to get pizza and subs from Pizza John’s and Dominic’s or a meal from Valentino’s, and he instilled the Baltimore tradition of getting a pit beef sandwich on rye with his daughter at an early age.

Bill will be the 3rd Schammel laid to rest at the Baltimore National Cemetery, with his father, who served 5 years during WWII, and a family cousin, John H. Schammel, who fought in WWI.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Bill's honor could be made to the Parkinson's Foundation or the American Heart Association

Family and friends are invited to a graveside service on Wednesday, April 9, 2025 at 11:00 AM at the Baltimore National Cemetery, 5501 Frederick Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228. Reception to follow graveside service.