William David Shreder

On Tuesday, October 27, 2020, William “Bill” Shreder, loving husband, father of three, and grandfather of seven, passed away at the age of 75.

Bill was born on August 21, 1945 in Chicago, IL, to Henry and Mildred Shreder. A lifelong music lover, he learned piano and trombone at a young age. He continued to study music at both DePaul and Roosevelt Universities and ultimately earned his Ph.D in music education at Northwestern University in 1981.

He performed as a trombonist both on tour and in venues around Chicago, including the Aragon Ballroom, the Chevy Chase Ballroom, and the Empire Room at the Palmer House. For many years he played weekends with the Norm Ladd big band at the Willowbrook Ballroom in Willow Springs, IL.

While he was a talented and accomplished performer, he never took himself too seriously. One of his favorite stage stories was the day he performed Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at Chicago’s Symphony Hall while sick with a cold, falling asleep during a long rest on stage only to be nudged awake by the player next to him just in time to hit his high note!

Bill also became a public-school teacher, sharing his love of music with generations of students in Hazel Crest, IL. He taught both band and general music for 33 years and retired in 2003.

Bill’s greatest devotion, however, was to his family. He met the love of his life, Sheila, and after a first date at the Lincoln Park Zoo, Bill and Sheila eventually married on December 29, 1973, in her hometown of Llanberis, Wales. Living first in Chicago and later in Park Forest, IL, they raised three children: Susan, Christopher, and Sarah. Bill and Sheila created a busy home full of love for which their children are forever grateful. Bill, of course, passed on his love of music to his children and made it a part of family life. No Christmas would have been complete without gathering around the piano to sing carols and no birthday would have been just right without Dad taking the harmony at the end of “Happy Birthday." Many nights, the kids fell asleep listening to him practice his trombone.

An enthusiastic amateur photographer, Bill captured countless pictures of his family. There was never a place too far or too crowded for him to leave his camera bag at home, and never a moment that couldn’t be put on pause while he tried to find just the right light. Thanks to all of his efforts, his family is left with albums full of memorable photographs to treasure.

After his retirement from teaching, Bill and Sheila moved to Maryville, IL, to be closer to their children and grandchildren. He enjoyed reading books and playing the piano for a new generation of children, he perfected the art of brewing and savoring the perfect cup of coffee, and he used his remaining free time to pamper and spoil his dogs. Bill and Sheila made the most of retired life together, traveling to Wales, France, Italy, the Dominican Republic, and Aruba. Bill fell particularly in love with Aruba and they embarked on a retirement adventure, buying a house and making new friends there. The doggies, of course, came along. Bill was particularly pleased in 2018 when all his children and grandchildren came to visit Aruba, allowing him to share the place he loved so much with the people he loved best.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Henry A. and Mildred M., nee Davidek, Shreder, and one brother, Henry “Hank” Shreder.

Bill is survived by his wife Sheila, nee Edwards, Shreder; his three children, Susan (Maurice) Griffithe of Mascoutah, IL, Christopher (Deanna) Shreder of Wentzille, MO, Sarah (Geoff Brookes) Shreder of Stratford, CT; seven grandchildren, Rhys and Evan Griffithe, Ava, Jacob, and Masen Shreder, Carter and Gwyneth Brookes; a brother-in-law, John (Gwen) Edwards of Llanrug, Wales; and one stubborn weiner dog, Rupert.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, charitable memorial donations may be made to Hungry for Music or the American Parkinson Disease Association.  Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting mollfuneralhome.com.

Funeral : A memorial service will be held at a later date.