William Walter Schmidt

William Walter Schmidt, Sr., 85, of Cole Camp, MO, formerly of Laurel, Maryland, died Saturday, May 24, 2014, at University of Missouri Hospital, Columbia, MO. He was born on June 22, 1928, at Chicago, Illinois, a son of Walter Rudolph and Anna (Kuenzi) Schmidt.

At the age of 8, he moved to Maryland On April 19, 1952, in Laurel, MD, he was united in marriage to Mary Darlene Kennedy, who preceded him in death on December 8, 2010.

William was a member of St. Mary of the Mills, Laurel, MD. He enjoyed caring for his property by mowing grass on his eight acres. He was an avid reader, collected coins, and loved to travel; and previously had enjoyed bowling, shooting clay targets, holding a pilot's license and flying, and participating in Civil War Re-enactments. He had a great sense of humor; he never met a stranger; and had a zest for life, surviving for 24 years after a heart transplant that was only supposed to give him another one or two years. He never went anywhere without his hat and a book.

He is survived by: four daughters, Tina Locknane of Cole Camp, MO, Kay Martin and David F. of Cole Camp, MO, Lydia Darlene Dyer of Baltimore, MD, and Mary Bernice Bangs and Earl, Jr. of Laurel, MD; five sons, William W. Schmidt, Jr. and Lucy of Baltimore, MD, Timothy E. Schmidt, Sr. and Cheryl of New Baden, IL, Robert L. Schmidt and Jaaey of Laurel, MD, Joseph M. Schmidt and Angie of Berkeley Springs, WV, Mark E. Schmidt and Bernadette of Laurel, MD; nineteen grandchildren, Matt Locknane, Erek Locknane, Greg Ballantyne, Michele Lein, David Martin, Frank Schmidt, Emma Schmidt, Louie Schmidt, TJ Schmidt, Ronnie Schmidt, Kenny Schmidt, Louis Schmidt, Stephanie Nichols, Justin Schmidt, Amanda Schmidt, Ryan Schmidt, Mark Andrew Schmidt, Jonathan Tracey, and Lydia Tracey; and sixteen great-grandchildren, Lexi, Beka, and Kimber Locknane, Audrey O'Gwynn, J. D. and Will Locknane, Arianna Brown, Tanner Schmidt, RJ and Dominic Schmidt, Landon Schmidt, Ethan, Cole, and Kendall Nichols, Mason Schmidt, and Ava Marie Schmidt.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and a son-in-law, Fred Dyer, III.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 29, 2014, from 2-4 & 7-9 pm at Donaldson Funeral Home, 313 Talbott Ave, Laurel, MD, with prayer services beginning at 8 pm. Burial will be at a later date in Ivy Hill Cemetery, Laurel, MD.

The family suggests memorial contributions be given to University of Missouri Hospital CICU in care of the Fox Funeral Home, PO Box 37, Cole Camp, MO 65325.