William Schenck

Bill was born in St. Petersburg Florida and was the child of Ruth Naomi Schenck and Herman Emil Schenck. He was an only child and was raised by his mother in very humble circumstances living in a small 1 bedroom home and outhouse, where he developed his lifelong fear of spiders. Bill began working at a very young age doing various jobs; his favorite was working on the charter fishing boats as a deck hand. That could explain his career choice. While he was in high school he began playing the trumpet. Bill enlisted in the US Navy in February of 1955 as a Seaman Recruit; he completed basic training at Great Lakes and went to Radio School. Having shown exceptional aptitude in his various stations, Bill was selected to attend the Naval Nuclear Power School in Arco Idaho. While in Idaho he met the love of his life. Her given name was Carolyn Anne Babbel, to him she would always be “Cookie,” she was from nearby Idaho Falls. They had a short courtship and were married on July 3rd 1959. Upon Bill’s completion of his training they were transferred to Virginia and his assignment on the USS Enterprise. Together they lived in an 8 by 37ft trailer that they brought from Idaho, in 1960 their first child Ed was born. Bill’s career in the Navy continued to progress and he was selected to go to Officer Candidate School in Newport Rhode Island. Their second child Craig was born in 1962 as he was completing his schooling. Bill received his commission as a Lieutenant JG, he served in multiple assignments. While in Newport, Bill began learning about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was baptized and a year later Bill and Carolyn, already a member, were sealed together in the Idaho Falls Temple. He was later promoted to Lieutenant; he was then assigned as the Chief Engineer on the USS Keppler where he received multiple commendations. In 1966 his ship received orders to go to Vietnam on a 9 month deployment. Less than a week before his departure, their third child Linda was born leaving Carolyn with a newborn and two boys six and four. After returning from his deployment he enjoyed shore duty assignments. In 1970 Bill was promoted to Lieutenant Commander and was next ordered to be the Chief Engineer on the newly built USS Portland. This new assignment brought the family to Virginia. 1975 Bill and Carolyn welcomed their fourth child Heather, and then in 1976 their fifth child David was born. While in Virginia, Bill had the opportunity to serve in many positions in the Church mostly in the Bishopric. Service in the Church was a very important part of his life; he participated in all aspects, including activities, fund raisers, scouting and gave of his time in charitable service. Home Teaching was one of his favorite assignments, helping when and wherever he could. Bill also loved to garden, camp and fish, something instilled in his children and grandchildren to this day. In 1978, Bill’s career in the Navy closed. He gave the Navy 23 years of Honorable service and retired. With his retirement, and Ed’s graduation from High School, it was decided that the family was going to move to Denver to be near Carolyn’s family. Bill and Carolyn settled in Thornton and began their new life there. Bill started a new career in sales, joining his father-in-law, Hal Babbel and brother-in-law, Tim Babbel at Babbel Sales. He learned many skills while working there that ensured his success in his career and ultimately at Dayton Parts where he finally retired in 2009. Bill was a fierce man, which was demonstrated as Carolyn was diagnosed with cancer. Bill would spend hours on the computer learning all he could about the disease, treatment and the doctors abilities. He was Carolyn’s advocate 24/7. Nothing else mattered, he provided her with the best care and the best quality of life. During their last years together, they travelled and cruised as often as possible enjoying their time together, often with friends or family. Carolyn preceded Bill in death on May 26th 2009. Bill’s last year’s found him surrounded by his children and grandchildren. He travelled to Craig’s home in South Carolina and to Ed’s home in Oregon, visiting his sons and their families. He enjoyed living with Linda and being near Heather, David and their families. Bill and Cookie were reunited on April 27, 2014, joining their parents, family and friends who were waiting joyously for his return. William Herman Schenck is survived by Ed Schenck, his wife Angie, grandchildren: Kara, Tiffany, Kimberlee, Jeff and seven great grandchildren; Halle, Sofia, Emma, Jayden, Carmen, Jeremy and Victor. Craig Schenck, his wife Karen, grandchildren: Stephen and Stacia and great grandsons Brandon and Cooper. Linda Schenck Crowe and granddaughter Taylor. Heather Schenck and grandson Tyler. David Schenck, his wife Cindy and grandson Noah.