Former Norwood Arena Champion Billy Schulz Passes at 73
William R. P. Schulz Sr., 73
NORTON – William R. P. Schulz Sr., 73, of Norton, formerly of Mansfield, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at the Golden Living Center Garden Place in Attleboro.
Born in Mansfield on Aug. 18, 1935, he was a son of the late Walter H. Sr. and Grace L. (Pike) Schulz.
Bill grew up in Mansfield and was educated in Mansfield schools; he later moved to Norton where he had made his home for the past 40 years.
Mr. Schulz was quite proud of his accomplishments as the founder and operator of Country Club Auto Body in Norton. He ran the business for 40 years until recently retiring. Bill began his auto body repair career at the former Vicino Buick in Mansfield and later worked at Rodman Ford. When not repairing cars, he was racing them. Bill’s first love was for auto racing, a hobby that the Schulz family is respectfully known for. He was the proud owner and driver of cars 60, 79 and 3D, and enjoyed winning his first race at Seekonk Speedway and also racing at Norwood Arena Speedway, Thompson Speedway and other tracks along the East Coast. Bill could best be described by those who knew him as a fun loving, easygoing person.
He is survived by his devoted children: Jo-Ann M. Schulz and her companion Robert Sita of North Attleboro, Lorna J. Perry and her husband Ricky of Norton, Bonnie L. Schulz and her companion Jay D’Ambra of Mansfield, Cynthia L. Kerkhoff and her husband William of Plainville, Jennifer A. Chapman and her husband Todd of Taunton, and William R. P. Schulz Jr. of Norton. He was the brother of Rudolph “Rudy” Schulz Sr. of Foxboro, Richard Schulz Sr. of Wilder, Vt., Lillian “Sis” Titus of Mansfield and the late Walter “Sam” Schulz Jr., Frederick Schulz Sr., Herbert Schulz Sr. and Paul Schulz Sr. Mr. Schulz is also survived by 17 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was the former husband of Diana Sousa and the late Janette Schulz.
Funeral services, to which relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend, will be held on Monday, April 27 at 10 a.m. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home, 55 North Main St., Mansfield. Burial will follow in the Spring Brook Cemetery, Mansfield.
Visiting hours will be held on Sunday, April 26 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Sherman & Jackson Funeral Home.
For additional information, please visit www.shermanjackson.com.
Sources: NorwoodArena.com