William F. Schroeder, Jr., 90, of Vero Beach, originally of Little Ferry, NJ for 64 years, passed away November 16th at Hospice House.

Bill was born to the late William and Mary Schroeder, October 7, 1927 in Hackensack, New Jersey. He graduated from Trinity High School in 1946.

Bill entered the Navy as a Hospital Apprentice First Class April 9, 1945. He was honorably discharged November 15, 1946.

Bill began work as a Grain Elevator Operator on the railroad and transferred to the Police Department stationed in Grand Central Terminal. His career as an officer spanned over 44 years with Pennsylvania Railroad, New York Central, Conrail and New Jersey Transit, where he retired at the rank of Captain. When Conrail discontinued passenger service, Bill and two co-workers were instrumental in forming a new police department.

Bill loved his family fiercely. He is survived by his wife, Doris, of Vero Beach. He is also survived by his children, Eileen Van Houten, Garfield, NJ; Mary Rose Blunda (Frank) of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ; Elizabeth Wisz (Gerald) of Garfield, NJ; William Schroeder III (Lori) of Dumont, NJ; and Kathleen Spagnolo (Jeffrey) of McKinney, TX. He is survived by his step-children, Steven Muller (Patti Jeanne) of Kalispell, MT; Cindy Landskron (Tom) of Cottontown, TN; Marc Muller (Cindy) of Neptune, NJ; and Jeff Muller (Stephanie) of Stow, MA. Bill is also survived by 28 loving grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen and a great-grandson, Kaden.

A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, November 24, 11:00 a.m. at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church. The church is located at 475 43rd Avenue, Vero Beach.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to VNA Hospice House, 1110 35th Lane, Vero Beach, FL 32960.

Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Bill's memorial page at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com.