Longtime Kenosha Businessman William F. Schend passed away on Tuesday, August 2, 2016 at the age of 87.

Born on November 18, 1928 in Kenosha, he was the son of the late William J. and Irene P. (Hains) Schend-Biernat.

Bill attended St. Casmir’s Elementary School, St. Francis Minor Seminary High School, and Loras College, Dubuque, Iowa, graduating with a BA degree in 1951.  While at Loras, Bill obtained his pilot’s license and was president of the Hawks Flying Club.

Bill married Hazel F. Heiderscheidt on July 21, 1951 at St. Patrick’s Church, Dubuque, Iowa.  Bill and Hazel celebrated their 65^th wedding anniversary this summer.

In September, 1951, Bill entered the United States Army, and was stationed in the U.S. and Germany, returning home in September, 1953.

Bill and Hazel moved to Madison, where Bill attended Madison Business College.  He began his insurance career with the George J. Leonhard General Insurance Agency.

In 1955, Bill and Hazel returned to Kenosha and he began working with his grandfather at the Frank Hains Insurance and Real Estate Agency.  In 1967, Bill purchased his grandfather’s agency and later merged it into Professional Insurance Agent’s Ltd., (PIA), relocating the business to downtown Kenosha.

In 1969, Bill and Charles Pflug formed Schend-Pflug and Associates, relocating to the Uptown area. In 1975, the name was changed to Schend Agency, Inc.  In 1993, the agency was purchased by his son, Stephen, making him the fourth generation owner.

Bill was a lifetime member of the Kenosha Association of Independent Insurance Agents, and served two terms as President.  He was also a lifetime member of the Wisconsin and National Associations of Independent Insurance Agents, and he served on the Membership Committee of the State Association for a number of years.  For 12 years he was also on the “President’s Advisory Council” with Secura Insurance Co.

Bill was a member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, serving on the Parish Board for many years.

Bill had many professional and community interests.  He was the first Kenosha Realtor to receive the GRI designation.  Always willing to learn, Bill passed the NASD and Wisconsin securities exams, achieving a Series 7 Security License.

He was president of the North Side Businessmen’s Association, which actively promoted the Tuesday night bike races at Washington Park.  For over 40 years he served on the board of the Kenosha Visiting Nurses Association, including a term as president.

In 1968, Bill was a founding member the Marian Council Knights of Columbus #4795, serving as the first Grand Knight.  He became a 3^rd and 4^th Degree member.  He currently was a member of the St. John Neumann Council #973, and 4^th Degree member of Archbishop Messmer Assembly #1201.

For many years Bill enjoyed golfing as well as dancing with his wife, Hazel.  He was a member of the Wisconsin Polka Boosters, the Kenosha Moose Lodge #286, and a charter member of the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame, Inc.

Survivors include his wife Hazel, and his three children, Stephen and David Schend, and Luann (Phil LaParne) Schend of Healdsburg, CA.

Service Info

Funeral services honoring Bill’s life will be held on Monday, August 8, 2016. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church, 5100 22nd Ave. Private interment will take place in St. George Cemetery.