William F. Schmidt, 82, of Winfield, Kansas, formerly of Hastings, Nebraska, passed away Wednesday morning, March 23, 2016 at Cumbernauld Village in Winfield.

He was born March 25, 1933 in Minden, Nebraska to Otto Schmidt and Laura (Woodward) Schmidt. He graduated from Minden High School in 1950. He then attended Kearney State Teachers College for 2 years before being drafted into the United States Army on May 19, 1953. He was in basic training in Fort Leonard, Missouri before being transferred to Diesel Engine & Fuel System's school in Fort Belvoir Virginia. He was then stationed in Seattle Washington before shipping out to Yokahoma Japan and later to Yong Dong Po Korea. There he was part of the 181st Signal Supply & Repair Company working on helicopter engines. He left Korea in April of 1955 and was stationed in San Francisco and then Fort Carson Colorado before being discharged on May 11, 1955 from the US Army. He also served in the Army Reserves for 8 years.

William returned to Minden, Nebraska to help on his family farm for 2 years. He then attended the US Trade School in Kansas City Missouri receiving his diesel mechanics certification, graduating #1 in his class. He then moved to Hastings, Nebraska where he worked at Sherman's Dealership. It was in Hastings that he met and married Nancy Selko. He also started and taught Diesel Mechanics at Central Nebraska Vocational Tech. He then purchased Schmidt International Dealership in Minden Nebraska with his brother Harry and worked there until retiring in 1988. He was a 20 year veteran of the Minden Volunteer Fire & Rescue. After retirement, he became very active in volunteering his time. He was very involved in the Hastings Food Pantry, Meals on Wheels, Good Fellows and his church.

William was proceeded in death by his parents, a brother Max, and his wife Nancy in 2003. Survivors are his children: Gail Sawyer (Stan), Ronald Schmidt (Tracy) and Mark Schmidt (Jackie). Grandchildren: Jacob, Sam, Patrick and Kyle Sawyer. Margaret, Eleanor, Katherine and Lillian Schmidt. Chelsie Carson (Tyrell) and Ryan Schmidt. Great Grandaughter, Alexandria Schmidt. Brother Harry Schmidt, sister/brother in-laws Linda Wells (Dan), Lori Spintig and Robert Selko (Loretta) as well as numerous niece and nephews and other family members.

Services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Saturday April 2, 2016 at Livingston Butler Volland Funeral Home in Hastings, Nebraska. The family will greet visitors beginning at 9:30 that morning until service time. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Hastings. Miles Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements in Winfield, Kansas, and Livingston, Butler, Volland Funeral Home is in charge of Hastings arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in William's name to Cumbernauld Village in Winfield, Kansas. Contributions may be made through either funeral home.