Corpus Christi – Dr. Professor William “Bill” Joseph Schmitz, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home on December 28, 2016 with his loving wife by his side. He was 79.

Bill was born in Houston, Texas on December 20, 1937 to William Joseph and Ivey (Mayfield) Schmitz.

Bill was a veteran of the US Army. He lived much of his life in Cape Cod, MA before retiring to Corpus Christi in 1996.  He was a scientist and leader in studies of ocean eddies and circulation at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Bill’s career was rich with discovery. He was a friend to many of the “greatest generation” of physical oceanography from 1960 to the 1990’s and a leader in one of the first large physical oceanography experiments, MODE, the Mid-Ocean Dynamics Experiment of 1973. He remained active in retirement, collaborating with the COAPS, Florida State University.  Bill will be missed, but he leaves us with a clearer idea of the global ocean and how it works.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents: William Sr. and Ivey Schmitz.

Survivors include his devoted wife: Yolanda Cantu-Schmitz of Corpus Christi, Texas; son: Brian Schmitz (Annabelle) of Washington, Missouri; daughters: Ivey Whiteford (Todd) of Tucson, Arizona; Karen Kuehne (Mark Wood) of Wallingford, London; Krista Lippert (Ted) of Tampa, FL; stepsons: Jimmy Reeves of San Antonio, Texas and Steve Reeves (Kimberly) of Sugarland, Texas; stepdaughter: Michelle Moseley (Daryl) of Corpus Christi, Texas; sister: Virginia Burlingame (George) of Bay City, Texas; 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will begin Thursday, January 5, 2017, 4:00 PM at Resthaven Funeral Home Chapel, Sinton. A rosary will be recited the same evening, 7:00 PM, at the funeral home. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, January 6, 2017, 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Sinton with Father Frank Martinez as celebrant. Burial will follow in Eternal Rest Cemetery, Sinton.

Guestbook and video available at www.resthavenfunerals.com.

Arrangements and care entrusted to Resthaven Funeral Home, Sinton. 

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