William L. Schofer was born August 31, 1900, at Rock Island, Illinois. The day after his 18th birthday, he enlisted in the regular Army. He was one of the few unhappy Americans when the armistice was declared on November 11, 1918.

After being discharged in 1920, he attended Beloit College and graduated in 1923. Bill received a scholarship to Harvard Divinity School, where he studied philosophy and theology for three years.

Bill became a permanent resident of Beloit in 1930. He organized the All-Male Acacia Chorus in 1933 and directed the chorus, which was regionally famous for over 30 years. Bill also organized and directed the Beloit YMCA Boys Choir. The choir traveled extensively and sang in Washington, Philadelphia, St. Louis, and Ontario. They represented Wisconsin at the 1965 World’s Fair in New York.

Bill served the First Baptist Church in every capacity except that of Pastor. He was director of many choirs at the church and chairman of a major building program.

Bill was a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board for 25 years. In 1957, he headed a building fund drive which resulted in the Salvation Army’s present building.

Bill also served in the Beloit Red Cross for over 45 years. He was Chairman of the Board in 1960–66 and 1974–75. He and Dearborn Hutchinson successfully ran the Blood Drive Program for six years. In the 1940s, Bill organized “Red Cross Sunday,” which was the first Sunday in March. On that day, a drive was conducted throughout the area to collect $1.00 per household. As much as $25,000 was raised for the Red Cross each year.

Beginning in 1940, Bill served as Executive Secretary of the Beloit Council of the Defense. He was in charge of bond sales and also helped organize Victory Gardens.

Bill was the campaign manager of the First United Giver’s Fund Drive in Beloit. The campaign exceeded its goal, and Bill was an active participant with United Givers throughout the years.

Bill played a key role in helping the successful building fund campaign for the Emanuel Baptist Church. He served as President of the Beloit Council of Churches.

In 1962, Bill was honored by the Jaycees as “Outstanding Citizen in Beloit.” In 1967, he was honored by the Beloit Daily News as “Outstanding Beloiter,” and in 1969 was named a “Beloit Booster” by the Daily News.

Bill’s entire business life in Beloit was as a funeral director with Rosman-Uehling-Kinzer.

Bill died on the 6th day of April, 1987, at the age of 86.