William J. Schulz Jr., age 74, resident of Michigan, ND, died Friday, March 12, 2010 at the Lakota Good Samaritan Center in Lakota, ND.

William James Schulz was born September 29, 1935 at Lakota, ND, the son of William Sr. and Esther (Sommerfeld) Schulz. He was raised on his parents' farm in Enterprise Township, attending school at Pelto and Whitman, ND. He then farmed and raised dairy & beef cattle with his parents. Bill enlisted in the Army National Guard on March 22, 1954 at Devils Lake and was honorably discharged on March 22, 1960. Bill married Beatrice Joern on June 29, 1957 in Grand Forks. They lived on the family homestead where they farmed and raised their family. While Bill was farming he also worked for the Carpenters Union in Grand Forks. He helped to construct the missile base at Nekoma, the ND Mill & Elevator at Grand Forks, JC Penney's at the Columbia Mall, and the Michigan Mall. He quit working as a carpenter in 1973 to devote all of his time to the farm. He was a member and elder of Zion Lutheran Church in Michigan for many years. He loved deer hunting, fishing, card parties, singing and dancing. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family. Bill farmed until his health forced him to retire. He moved to the Lakota Good Samaritan Center in 2000.

Bill will be greatly missed by his wife, Beatrice Schulz of Michigan, ND; 6 daughters, Bonnie (Douglas) Moen of Michigan, Darlene (Joseph Sr.) Ryba of Lankin, ND, Elaine (Michael) Haugen and Dolores (Allen) Orwick, both of Michigan, Linda (Mitchell) Uhrich of Grand Forks, and Patty (Les) Ressler of West Fargo; 17 grandchildren; 4great grandchildren; a sister, Gloria (James Sr.) Metz of Logansport, IN; and 3 nephews, James Jr., Tom, and Mike Metz.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Bill's Funeral Service will be held at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, Niagara, ND, on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Rev. Dennis Neels and Rev. Timothy Stout. The organist will be Emmy Wolfgram, special music will be sung by Gary Behm and Sue Neels. Interment will be in the spring at the Michigan Cemetery . The casketbearers will be Bryan Haugen, Aaron Orwick, Joseph Ryba Jr., Daniel Ryba, Kyle Orwick, Nathan Orwick, Jacob Uhrich, Tyler Uhrich, Adam Uhrich, and Bryce Ressler. The honorary bearers will be Shandy Hatlestad, Ashley Moen, Crystal Moen, Brittany Hemmingson, Aletha Orwick, Alexandra Ressler, and Katelyn Ressler. Visitation will be held at the Aaker Funeral Home of Lakota on Monday, beginning at 2:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church on Tuesday, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service.