William W. “Bill” Schaeffer Jr., 77, a resident of Swoyersville, and formerly of Bethlehem and New Jersey, passed into eternal life on Saturday, February 17, 2018, at his home, following a long battle with cancer.

His loving wife is Theresa A. (Podskoch) Schaeffer. Bill and Theresa would have celebrated their 35^th wedding anniversary on July 15^th.

Born on April 28, 1940, in Camden, New Jersey, Bill was the son of the late William W. Schaeffer Sr. and Elizabeth (Chamberland) Schaeffer.

Raised in Camden, New Jersey, Bill attended Woodrow Wilson High School.

A United States Navy veteran, Bill honorably served his country for nearly four years during peacetime. He most notably served aboard the U.S.S. Hunt. Upon his honorable discharge on March 16, 1961, Bill had attained the rank of Radioman 3^rd Class.

Prior to his retirement, Bill was employed as a manager for Aramark for 49 years.

Bill was a member of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, Swoyersville.

A man of many enjoyments, Bill especially enjoyed playing poker with his “in-laws and out-laws”, chancing his odds at the casinos where he “bought the chandeliers”, and playing a good game of Wii bowling at which he was the self-proclaimed “Coach Bill”! He was also an avid fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, and enjoyed working around his home and tending to his lawn.

Bill will be remembered not only for his great sense of humor, but also for the boundless love and devotion he had for his loved ones. Although his presence will be deeply missed, he leaves behind a legacy that will be cherished for generations to come.

In addition to his parents, William and Elizabeth Schaeffer, Bill was preceded in death by his son from his 1^st marriage, Mark Schaeffer, on June 18, 2017; his brother, Bobby Schaeffer; his sisters, Mary Abbott and Georgeanne Simero; and his father-in-law, Joseph “Parker” Podskoch.

In addition to his wife, Theresa, Bill is survived by his two children from his 1^st marriage, Arthur Schaeffer and Kimberly Schaeffer; his grandchildren, Michael, Matthew, Christine, Courtney, Megan, Sarah, Danielle, and Brandon; his great-grandchildren, Isabelle, Scarlett, and Violet; his brother, Thomas Gladden; his sister, Sandra Rittenhouse; his mother-in-law, Barbara (Hudak) Podskoch; and his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and Friends are respectfully invited to attend Bill’s Blessing Service which will be celebrated on Saturday, February 24, 2018, at 2:00 PM, at the Wroblewski Funeral Home, Inc., 1442 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort, with the Reverend Joseph J. Pisaneschi, Pastor of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish, officiating.

Family and Friends are invited to attend Bill’s viewing on Saturday from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, at the funeral home.

Private Interment will be in Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Cemetery, Swoyersville.

For additional information or to send Bill’s family an online message of condolence you may visit the funeral home’s web-site, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.

The family has kindly asked that flowers be omitted. Memorial Contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to the American Cancer Society, 712 South Keyser Avenue, Taylor, Pennsylvania 18517, or to the SPCA of Luzerne County, 524 East Main Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania 18702.