Obituaries

William J. “Bill” Schnelli, 10

William J. "Bill" Schnelli, of Ormond-by-the-Sea, FL and formerly of New Smyrna Beach, FL and Lancaster, PA, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 28, 2012, at the age of 90.

Bill moved to New Smyrna in 1983 following his marriage to Phyllis. He retired from RCA as an administrator, having worked at both the RCA plant in Lancaster, PA and the David Sarnoff Research Lab in Princeton, NJ.

Bill was born in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of Jacob and Mabel Schnelli.

He was a graduate of McCaskey HS, Lancaster, PA and Franklin and Marshall College, (1943) also in Lancaster. He served as Lt. (JG) in the US Navy. In 1944, he married Jeanne Biemesderfer with whom he shared 37 years of marriage until her death in 1981.

An active participant in life, Bill enjoyed tennis, cycling, canoeing and camping with his family throughout the US. He also enjoyed seeing and recording life through the lens of a camera.

Bill was an active member of St. Johns Lutheran Church in Lancaster for many years.

Bill is survived by his loving, supportive wife, Phyllis B. Schnelli. In addition, 5 children survive: Kathleen L. (Michael) Smith, of Ephrata, PA; David W. (Diane) Schnelli of Springfield, OR; William E. (Suzanne) Schnelli and Craig A. (Nancy) Schnelli, both of Lancaster, PA and Sabrina B. McDonnell, of Ormond Beach, FL. Bill enjoyed spending time with his 12 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his beloved sister, Nancy Schnelli (Bill) Hambleton of Lawrence, KS along with cousins, nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Bill’s Life Celebration Memorial Service on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 12 Noon at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 10 Delp Rd., Lancaster, PA with Rev. Craig Ross officiating.  The family will receive friends at the church from 11:30 AM until 12 Noon. Private interment will be held at Millersville Mennonite Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Humane Society, Franklin and Marshall College, the public broadcasting station of your choice, or Hospice. To send an online condolence, please visit www.SnyderFuneralHome.com. Charles F. Snyder, Jr. Funeral Home & Crematory

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