William Orville Schmittel

William (Bill) Orville Schmittel, 88, of Heber City, Utah, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2024. Bill was born November 1, 1935, to Forest and Constance (Stuckey) Schmittel in Rockford, Illinois. Bill grew up in Winnebago, Illinois, graduating from Winnebago High School in 1953. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1955 until he was Honorably discharged in 1958. He treasured serving his country and was honored to be a Veteran. Following his military service, he went on to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. After graduating, he held positions at numerous Aerospace companies including Boeing as a commercial airliner ground flight school instructor, eventually working as a Civil Engineer within the Federal government for the Bureau of Reclamation. He loved to fly, walking away from a plane crash while crop dusting in the 1960s. He enjoyed his deployments with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) helping people after disasters.

In 1972, Bill met Frances (Fran) Stella Giles, and after a two-week engagement, they were married on August 12, 1972, in Elko, Nevada. Bill lived in Heber City, Utah, for the last 50 years, a place he cherished, enjoying walks around his yard and neighborhood to watch wildlife and nature. His quick wit and sense of humor was enjoyed by all who knew him. His claim to longevity was drinking Coke and foregoing 'nasty' water.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Fran, his parents Forest and Constance, and his brother Jack. He is survived by Amy (Shawn) Clements of Yorkville, Illinois; Mia Rowley of Heber City, Utah; Shawn Rowley of Delta, Utah; Blair (Jena) Schmittel of Gilbert, Arizona; Kelly (Tawnya) Schmittel of Glendale, Arizona; his 14 grandchildren: Maddisen, MaKenzee, Jacie, MaKaylee, Brycen, Tytan, Taelor, MaKenlee, Gage, Ellia, Adelyn, Jaxen, Aiden, Sharlotte; and his three sisters: Sandra Collard of Utah, Darla Walter of Illinois and Constance Johnson of Idaho.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, May 6th, 2024, with interment to follow in the Heber City Cemetery, 680 North 550 East, Heber City, Utah 84032.