William P. “Bill” Schmidt, 92, Dickinson, ND, died Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at St. Benedict’s Health Center, Dickinson. Bill’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 A.M., Monday, February 5, 2007 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson with Fr. Dennis Schafer as the celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Dickinson, with military honors provided by the Veterans Drill Team. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday at Ladbury Funeral Service, Dickinson, with a rosary and vigil at 7 p.m..
William Peter Schmidt was born on the family homestead on November 19, 1914 at Dickinson, ND, the son of John and Katherina (Elberg) Schmidt, Jr.. He was raised and educated in the Dickinson area.
Bill served in the United States Army Air Corp from April 8, 1942 to his honorable discharge on October 31, 1945. While in the military he attended aircraft power plants school and airplane mechanics school and had served with the 18th Fighter Squadron of the 343 Fighter Group. He returned home and attended Dickinson State College where he received a three year degree in agriculture. Bill went to work for as a mechanic for the Ford Motor Co. from 1945 to 1947, at which time he began farming. Bill continued farming south of Dickinson until his retirement.
Bill married Carol McKirdy on February 16, 1946 at St. Columbus Church in St. Paul, MN.
Bill belonged to the Germans from Russia, American Legion, VFW, Knights of Columbus, and was a Baritone player in the City Band. He enjoyed History, airplanes, music, reading, and especially spending time with his family.
Bill is survived by 13 children, Herb (Bonnie) Schmidt, Fargo, Ed (Mary Lou) Schmidt, Phoenix, AZ, Shirley (Vaughn) Johnson, Argusville, ND, Ken (Jean) Schmidt, Independence, MO, Tim Schmidt, Boulder, MT, Rosanne Hoffman, Glendive, MT, Joyce Russell, Strum, WI, Willette (Duncan Smith) Schmidt, Worley, ID, Mary (Tom) Christensen, Manhattan, MT, Laurie (Manny Mendoza) Schmidt, Taylor, TX, Kris (Phil) Huyck, St. Onge, SD, John (Eileen) Schmidt, Hanska, MN and Mike Schmidt, Dickinson; 27 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one sister, Bertha Staudt, Batavia, Ill; and two brothers, Albert (Delores) Schmidt, and Nick (Frances) Schmidt, Dickinson. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Eleanor Schmidt; brother, Theodore Schmidt; and two infant children.
