Rev. Bill Schram | Student of Jesse

Rev. Dr. William C. "Bill" Schram, 91

August 10, 2012 | Pelham Weekly

Rev. Dr. William C. “Bill” Schram, who served as pastor of Huguenot Memorial Church in Pelham Manor from 1959-1973, died on August 1, 2012. He was a resident at Shell Point, Fort Myers, FL. He was 91.

During his service at Huguenot Memorial Church, the church facility as it is today was completed. The Library bears his name.

Born in Cincinnati, OH in 1921, he was a graduate of Walnut Hills High School. He attended Williams College and graduated in 1946 following service in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He went on to Union Theological Seminary in New York City where he earned a degree in Divinity and met his wife, Elizabeth “Topper” Case Schram. They were married Sept. 6, 1947, and Bill was ordained to ministry in the Presbyterian Church USA.

After serving as pastor at Huguenot Memorial Church for 14 years, (1959-1973), the Rev. Schram became pastor of the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dayton, OH in 1974.

He served on regional and national levels of the Presbyterian Church in many capacities over his entire ministry.

Following his retirement, he taught preaching at United Seminary in Dayton, OH and served three years as seasonal pastor at Chapel by the Sea, Captiva Island, FL. He and his wife relocated to the area, living first on Sanibel Island and then at Shell Point in Fort Myers. He stayed active in retirement, served as a visitation pastor at The Sanibel Congregational UCC church, was active on an affordable housing board on Sanibel and served on the board of the local Planned Parenthood. He embodied the words, “Old ministers never retire. They just go out to pastor.”

The Rev. Schram is survived by Topper, his wife of 65 years; sons and daughters-in-law William and Jen, Robert and Patricia and Thomas and Cindy; and grandchildren Jessica, Katharine, Nichole, Thomas, Cody and Jesse. His three sons all graduated from Pelham Memorial High School.

A memorial service was held on Aug. 8 at the Sanibel Congregational Church. The family suggests that donations be made to your local Planned Parenthood chapter.

A memorial service at Huguenot Memorial Church will take place sometime after mid-September, due to ongoing renovation work in the Sanctuary. Please call the church after Labor Day, or visit the church web site for full information.