01/17/2026
William Henry Schimm, age 102, of Springfield, Illinois, passed from this life to eternal life on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Bill was born on January 11, 1924, in Amazonia, Missouri, to Theresa Schimatowsky. Raised by a single mother he lived most of his life in Sioux City, Iowa. Bill was baptized on March 5, 1934 at Lutheran Hospital where his mother worked as a nurse. He was confirmed at Redeemer Lutheran Church on April 10, 1938. He graduated from Sioux City East High School in 1942 before being drafted into the army in 1943.
During World War II, Bill served as a corporal in the 22nd infantry Regiment, 4th Ivy division, 3rd army under George Patton. He landed on Utah beach a week or two after the initial landings. He was initially attached to the Forward Echelon Communications Zone and for a week or so assisted the “Monuments Men” in northern France as they attempted to retrieve art stolen by the Nazi’s. He saw combat at Saint‑Lô and the battle of the Hedgerows, helped liberate Paris, fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and took part in the liberation of a concentration camp. He finished his combat duty at the base of Hitler’s mountain lair in Bavaria. After VE day, as he was preparing to undergo training for combat in the Pacific, the atomic bombs dropped on Japan thus ending the war and within a few months he was back home. After the war, thanks to the GI Bill, Bill graduated from Morningside College and began a half century of service as an insurance investigator for Equifax.
Bill always said he wanted to marry a Lutheran girl and indeed he did when he married Doris Giggee in 1950. They shared 68 blessed years of Christian marriage until her death in 2018. Bill and Doris were active members of Redeemer Lutheran Church, where they served in many capacities. In retirement they moved to Athens, Illinois to be near children and grandchildren and became members of Immanuel Lutheran Church.
Bill was able to play the game of golf which he loved into his 90’s when he set the course putting record. Bill and Doris enjoyed dancing, bridge, travel, and laughter. From childhood to his final hours, he found humor to be a good antidote to life’s difficulties and a way to endear himself to those around him and bring them joy.
At the age of 80 he began taking piano lessons and true to form he worked up a comedy routine of music and jokes that he performed for family. Bill loved singing and always enjoyed singing duets with daughter Sherry, beginning when she was a little girl. At his 100th birthday he was able to dance with daughter, Teresa, much to the concern of his doctor, and at 101 danced with the aid of his walker. With son, Billy, he loved playing ping pong, gin, and watching the family videos Billy so lovingly created. He loved to tell his war stories to whoever would listen and worked with daughter, Kathy to put together a book covering his war years.
Following Doris’s death, Bill moved to Brenden Gardens in Springfield, Illinois, where he was warmly received and well cared for. He celebrated his 102nd birthday there less than a week before his death. Surrounded by family and friends, he expressed deep gratitude for a long life, his loved ones, and Christ his Savior.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? … For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35 ff
Bill is survived by his children: Sherry (Alvaro) DaSilva of Monchique, Portugal; Bill (Cherie) Schimm of Athens, Illinois; Teresa (Reverend Richard) Becker of Athens, Illinois; and Kathy (Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison) of Ballwin, Missouri. He is also survived by many grandchildren, great‑grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
Bill’s funeral will take place Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Athens, IL. Visitation begins at Immanuel at 10:30 am with service beginning at 11:30. Interment will take place at 1:00 pm at Camp Butler National Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois, with full military honors.
Memorials may be directed to LCMS.org “Make a Gift”, to the Gary Sinise Foundation for Wounded Veterans and First Responders in gratitude for his service and to Camp Cilca, Lutheran Children’s Camp, Cantral, IL. Flowers may be sent to Mott and Henning funeral home, Athens, IL.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13
Mott & Henning Funeral Home is assisting the family. On-line condolences can be shared at www.mottandhenning.com.
