William P. Schaeffer's Obituary
William Paul Schaeffer, 85, passed away at his home in Cherry Hill, NJ on December 20th with his caring son by his side. Bill was born on July 11th, 1940, in Clarksburg, WV to William McDaniel Schaeffer and Regina Mary Schaeffer (née O’Rourke). He was the devoted husband of the late Sue Ann (Jolliffe) Schaeffer and is survived by his son, James Schaeffer (Christina) of Cherry Hill, NJ and his daughter, Patricia Baechler (Christopher) of Medford, NJ.
Nothing brought Bill more pride than his role as a grandfather (Pops). He adored Jordyn Schaeffer, Kaila Carmone (Ryan), Connor Baechler (Megan), Molly Baechler, Nick Schaeffer, and Amanda Napoli, and delighted in being “Big Pops” to his great grandchildren Coco and Pierce Carmone. He is also survived by his sister, Kathleen Stamp (John), his brother-in-law Ed Jolliffe, and his niece and nephews.
Bill was raised in Washington, D.C., and returned to West Virginia to attend WVU, where he graduated with honors as a Phi Betta Kappa. Athletics were always part of his life; he was a four-year letterman in cross country and like his father, was captain of the tennis team. In August of 1962 he married his college sweetheart, Sue Ann Jolliffe, a local Morgantown girl and fellow WVU grad.
While earning his master’s degree in history, Bill joined the U.S. Marine Corps, intending to pursue a career as a college professor after his service. As the Vietnam war escalated, he attended Officer Candidates School in Quantico and then was stationed in Hawaii where his son Jim was born. Assigned to India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines, Bill was on maneuvers with his unit when orders arrived, sending him to Vietnam in early 1965. There, he provided artillery support to frontline troops. He returned home safely with Commendations and was stationed at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot in Parris Island, SC serving as a captain and company commander training new recruits for Vietnam. His daughter Patti was born on Parris Island shortly before Bill received an honorable discharge in June 1967.
Bill went on to a distinguished career as an executive in international human resources with Pfizer and SmithKline Beecham. His professional life provided him and his family the opportunity to travel to interesting places and build friendships along the way. A four-year assignment to Brussels, Belgium in the mid 1970s while with Pfizer and a later assignment to London, England with SmithKline Beecham in the early 1990s shaped some of the family’s most treasured memories. Bill and Sue retired to Williamsburg, Virginia in 1995, where they spent their remaining years traveling, entertaining friends, and enjoying time with their children and grandchildren.
Bill coached Jim’s baseball and hockey teams and endured Patti’s figure skating and dance recitals. He cherished annual ski trips with close friends and families he and Sue met while living in Brussels, Flanders and Cherry Hill, NJ. An avid tennis player in the first half of his life, during retirement he became consumed most days with trying to hit a little white ball over 18 holes. A lifelong Redskins fan and a loyal Phillies fan to the end, Bill could always find enjoyment watching any college or professional sporting event.
Some of Bill’s closest bonds were with his fellow warriors with whom he served in the Marine Corps, and those friendships endured throughout his life. He also forged relationships with new brothers-in-arms at his favorite gym in Williamsburg.
Sarcasm was Bill’s language of love. His family will forever miss his wry sense of humor, his ‘loving’ jabs, and his fierce competitiveness and loyalty. In recent years, he could often be found working on jigsaw and crossword puzzles or presiding as Grand Poobah - and chief trash-talker - of the family football pool, roles he took very seriously.
Family and friends are invited to attend a visitation on January 24, 2026, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Givnish Funeral Home of Marlton, located at 398 E. Main Street, Marlton, NJ 08053. A service celebrating Bill’s life will follow immediately at 11:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org.
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