William Schmaltz was born in Walworth County north of Mobridge to Jake and Margaret (Bosch) Schmaltz on March 20, 1934. It was the day before his mother's birthday and Margaret always said "Will was her best birthday gift." Will was brought up and educated in Mobridge, graduating in 1954. Even at an early age, he had part time jobs. He had one of the first shoe shine kits in Mobridge, shoveled sidewalks in the winter, and when he was a sophomore, he worked at Travis grocery store, stocking shelves and delivering groceries to peoples homes. He also set pins in the bowling alley at night and on weekends. and in June, for many years, he helped repair and paint the grandstand at the Mobridge Rodeo Grounds.

After graduating from high school, he worked for a short time for the South Dakota Highway Department. He then took a job with "King" Olson and his construction crew when they built several service stations in Gettysburg, Phillip and other surrounding areas in South Dakota. He joined the Marine Corp on August 1956 and was stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, CA as a rifle and pistol instructor. He was honorably discharged in December 29, 1958.

In 1960 he married Adeline (Adzie) Gartner in New England, North Dakota and to this union three children, Jim, Margie and Lori were born. After his discharge from the service, he began working for Northwest Distributing Co. and drove a semi truck from Mobridge to St. Paul, MN and Milwaukee, WI. In 1969 he worked as a salesman for Northern Wholesale, whose home office was in Aberdeen, SD and several years later, worked for Premier Wine and Spirits, home office in Sioux Falls, SD. He was awarded sales man of the month many times during his career. He retired in 2010. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge for 53 years.

Will was very proud of his children and their accomplishments in life. He also loved the fact that his children, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law and his grandchildren enjoyed fishing as much as he did. He always said, he probably spent more time on the lake than anyone in the area, whether it was shore, boat or ice fishing. He spent many years fishing with Mike Otterberg and in recent years with LeRoy Vogel. With his son Jim, they won the Bridge City Walleye Tournament.

One of Wills favorite times of the year was the fourth of July when classmates and friends came back to Mobridge. Many hours were spent reminiscing about teenage pranks, teachers and high school days, especially reliving the games of their undefeated football season of 1953.

Will is survived by his wife, Adzie, his three children, Jim (JoAnn) Schmaltz, Dakota City, NE, Margie (Curt) Vojta, Sheridan, WY, and Lori (Steve) Sisk, Canby, MN. His grandchildren, Tyler Schmaltz, Brayden Vojta and Michael, Mathew and Sydney Sisk. Also two step-grandchildren, Matt and Nick Hogan of Sioux City, Iowa. Also surviving are brothers, Ike and Ray Schmaltz, Seattle, WA, and his Aunt Anne Bosch, Linton, ND, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Ed and Al Schmaltz and his sisters, Agnes Mitchell and Betty Lipp, 2 nephews and 1 niece, his grandparents, and many uncles and aunts.

As Will's health continued to fail, he often told his family and many friends that he couldn't have asked for a better life. And now he rests in the arms of the Lord.