A Small Man with a Huge Presence

William "Bill" Schmidt, born May 20, 1935, passed away peacefully on Friday, June 12, 2020 at Northern Nevada Medical Center in Sparks, Nevada. He was 85 years old. His grandson Cody Bohman and Cody's wife, Amber, were at his side.

Bill was born in Corona, California and grew up all over the state. He became interested in racing horses at the age of 8 when someone took him to the races at Agua Caliente. At 13, he was a helper at a riding academy, and at 14 started working at a Thoroughbred  rest home in Santa Ana. There he started to gallop horses, and by the time he came to the racetrack at age 16, had several years of experience. He rode two horses at Agua Caliente in 1951, taking second with one of them. He then shifted to another major track, Longacres, in Washington. And as the saying goes, third time is a charm! Bill won his first race of many races to come on a horse named Brave Reward, and three became his lucky number. He was a member of the Jockey's Guild, and rode in races from Mexico to Canada, from the west coast to Colorado over the next three years.

When Bill wanted to settle down, he went to work for his uncle in Redwood City, California where he met Gloria Louise Eisenhuth. They got married and had their first of two daughters, Tammie, before moving to Orange County, California, where he went to work for S.P. S Technologies, a supplier to the aerospace industry, and expanding their family with another daughter, Pamela. After retiring from S.P.S., Bill and Gloria moved to Yerington in 2004.

Bill was a big presence anywhere he went. From the shooting range, playing bingo, going to the casinos and car shows, Bill loved life. He had a huge heart, and considered everyone he met a friend. He will be missed.

Bill was preceded in death by his father William R. Schmidt, mother Aimee Creed Schmidt and daughter Pamela Schmidt.

He leaves behind his wife of 63 years, Gloria Schmidt of Yerington; daughter Tammie Byington (Russel) of Minden; sisters Patricia Brees and Lynda Boulton, brothers Tom (Carol) Schmidt, Steve (Glena) Schmidt and Richard (Sue) Schmidt; granddaughter Machelle, grandsons Jake Bohman (Carson) and Cody Bohman (Amber); and 3 great grandchildren, Elizabeth, Bella and Nick; as well as several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2020 at 11:00 am at Faith Lutheran Church, 12 N. West St., Yerington, Nevada, where he was a member.  Family and Friends are invited to sign his online guest book at www.FRFH.net

Arrangements and Cremation were under the direction of Freitas Rupracht Funeral Home, 25 Hwy 208 Yerington, NV 89447 (775) 463-2911