Obituary of William E. Schlueter

Springwater – William E. Schlueter, 85 years of age passed away peacefully on Friday June 14, 2024 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, surrounded by his children and grandchildren. Bill was born January 20, 1939 in Rochester, NY, the son of William H. and Mary Alice (Beecher) Schlueter. He grew up in the “Nineteenth Ward” and graduated from Aquinas High School (1956). He went on to earn a degree in Political Science from St. John Fisher (1960). Bill served his country in the United States Air Force, including two tours in Vietnam. He was with the 7th Air Force in Vietnam and he also served as a OSI Agent in Bonn, Germany as well as the US Embassy liason in Bonn, Germany. During his time in the Air Force, Bill was stationed in Germany, Virginia, Alabama, Nebraska, California, and North Carolina. Retiring as a Captain, Bill was very proud of his twenty years of service. He returned home to New York with his wife and children to settle down in a house in Springwater (1982), down the road from where he used to camp as a Boy Scout. Bill had always dreamed of having such a house in the country but never believed it would be a reality. He remained in wonder of that all the rest of his life. Subsequent to his military service, Bill was employed by the United States Postal Service until his retirement (2006). While in the Air Force, Bill met Helen-Jean Shank on a blind date. They wed on May 7, 1971 in Hong Kong while Bill was on R & R from Vietnam. They celebrated over 45 years together prior to Helen-Jean passing away on February 26, 2017. Bill had many hobbies that included canoeing, walks in the woods, photography, bird watching, and spending time at Canadice and Hemlock Lakes. Bill created and curated expressions and sayings that his family lovingly referred to as “Schlueterisms.” Few would expect a man of such size to be so sentimental and to tear up when speaking of those he loved most, but Bill was a child at heart. He was silly and made up voices and character traits for animals (and people) he encountered. More than anything, Bill was a source of calmness, strength, and the simplest kind of love. Bill was a life member of the Washington D.C. VFW and the UNA VOCE (an organization for the preservation of celebrating the pre-1962 Latin Mass within the Catholic Church). Bill was a man of deep faith and religious devotion. In his later years, he spent hours praying his rosary in times of trouble and suffering, as well as times of gratitude and celebration. He was dedicated to the Latin Mass Community of Saint Kateri Tekakwitha and attended mass with them as often as he was able. Bill was predeceased by his parents, William H. and Mary Alice Schlueter; his beloved wife, Helen-Jean Schlueter; his twin sisters, Joan Wegman and Jean Coxe; and his brothers, Thomas C. Schlueter and James Schlueter. Bill’s “Tribe” lives on through his children: William R. Schlueter of VA, Rodney (Marsha) Schlueter of GA, Laura (Mike) Olienyk of PA, Heidi (Derek) Carlson of NY, Lisa (Gregg) Zielsdorf of PA, William “Matthew” (Rachael) Schlueter of NY, and Gretchen (John) Kendall of NY; 23 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; along with many nieces and nephews. Bill’s family and friends may call Friday June 21, 2024 from 4-7pm at St. George-Forsythe Funeral Home, 109 West Naples St., Wayland. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday June 22, 2024 at 10:00AM at St. Rose’s Catholic Church, 1985 Lake Rd., Lima, NY. Committal prayers and interment will take place at Trout Run Cemetery, Trout Run, PA. Contributions in memory of William E. Schlueter may be made to the Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Latin Mass Community, St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 4536 St. Paul Blvd., Rochester, NY 14617.