William Alan Schindler
William Alan Schindler, born to Russell Raymond Schindler and Cordelia Anita Whitmore-Schindler on March 12, 1942, in St. Joseph, passed into the loving hands of God on Oct. 26, 2022.
Mr. Schindler graduated from Central High School in St. Joseph, in 1960, at which time he enlisted in the US Air Force and served from 1960-1966. As a radio operator he was very proficient in the use of and copying morse code. Mr. Schindler served in Pakistan, and Okinawa, and temporary duty stints in Viet Nam.
After his military enlistment, Mr. Schindler lived in southern California until moving back to Missouri where he met and married Betty Ann (Henneberry) Schindler in March of 1971. Mr. Schindler became the first public safety officer hired by the department in 1973 after the City of Mexico, had combined the police and fire departments. After seven- years as a patrol officer, her was promoted to Sergeant and started the Special Activities unit. Among his many duties, he served as an administrative assistant to the chief and assistant chief until his retirement in April of 2004, at which time Mr. and Mrs. Schindler relocated to the Moberly area. Mr. Schindler loved the time he spent teaching elementary students the dangers of drug usage as the department’s D.A.R.E. officer. He always felt that if he could save just one child from using drugs, he would have been successful in his teachings. During his time as a public safety officer, he was awarded the Officer of the Year two times.
Mr. Schindler was very active in the Masonic fraternity, earning the title of Right Worshipful Brother. Mr. Schindler belonged to the Hebron Masonic Lodge 354 in Mexico and transferred his membership to the Moberly Masonic Lodge 344 in June 2020. He served as the Right Worshipful Brother three times and served as the district deputy grand master for two years.
Mr. Schindler enjoyed participating in, and watching all sports, especially bowling and auto racing, but his main love was fishing, where he loved to fish in tournaments as a Mexico Bassmaster and participated in the Red Man bass fishing circuit.
Besides his wife, Mr. Schindler is survived by a brother, John (Joann) Whitmore and their children, Holly and John in Springfield, a nephew, Chris (Mary) Schroeder and their child, Isabel in St. Joseph, and another nephew, Barry Schroeder, also of St. Joseph..
Preceding Mr. Schindler in death were his parents, and a sister, Anita Louise Schindler-Schroeder-Schwaninger.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions are suggested to the donor’s choice of charity.
Visitation was at Pathway-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, on Nov. 4, with Masonic services following. Interment was at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, Mo., with military honors.
Arrangements are under the direction of PATHWAY-MILLARD Funeral Directors, 411 Union Avenue, Moberly, Missouri 65270 (660) 263-7284. Condolences may be left online for the family at www.pathwaymemorial.com.
