Fred James Schultz

Fred James Schultz May 4, 1929 - January 27, 2015 Fred James Schultz of Waco passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at his home. Services will be at 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 30, at Austin Avenue United Methodist Church with the Rev. Tim Jarrell and the Rev. Fred Winslow officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, January 29, at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Garden Room. Fred James Schultz was born May 4, 1929, in Abilene, Texas, to Otto and Victor Julia Schultz. After graduating from Abilene High School in 1945, he enrolled at Texas Technical College at the age of 17. He graduated in 1950 from Texas Tech with a Bachelor of Science degree in structural engineering. While in school, he met "Texas Tech Beauty," Billie Lou Betts. They married on February 11, 1951, and remained faithfully married for 56 years until Billie's death in 2007. They had two adored daughters, Beth Schultz Dardnne and Sally Schultz Bledsoe. Fred was hired by Central Texas Iron Works in 1950 in the Waco Engineering department. He was transferred to Abilene in 1952, where he became assistant plant manager and branch sales manager. In 1964, he was transferred back to Waco to become the general sales manager and was elected vice president and board member in 1966. CTIW was purchased in 1983 by the Herrick Co., and Schultz was named president of the company in 1985. He resigned as the president of CTIW in 1987 and founded Schultz Industries. That same year he purchased the Sturdisteel Company and the Sweeper Body Manufacturing division of Central Texas Iron Works. The Sturdisteel Company is still owned and operated by Fred's family, and is one of the largest manufacturers of outdoor stadium seating and press boxes in the United States. Fred was a registered professional engineer in Texas and a past president of the Texas Structural Steel Institute. He was also a former artillery officer with the 36th Infantry Division of the Texas Army National Guard. He was a past president of Ridgewood Country Club and a past member of Waco Rotary and Hedonia Clubs. He proudly served on the boards of Hillcrest Hospital, Texas National Bank, Compass Bank and the Texas Structural Steel Institute. He was an active member of Austin Avenue United Methodist Church for over 50 years. He loved boating, fishing, playing Gin Rummy with his friends and was an avid golfer. One of his fondest memories was winning the 1967 Ridgewood Country Club Member-Guest Golf Tournament with his brother, Bob. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother and sister, Bob and Frances Schultz; his wife, Billie Lou Schultz; and his daughter, Beth Schultz Dardnne. He is survived by his daughter, Sally Schultz Bledsoe and husband, Johnny, of Waco; his son-in-law, Jimmy Dardnne of Austin; his grandchildren, Taylor Bledsoe and wife, Jordan, of Waco, Ginny Martin and husband, Xerxes, of Dallas, Mike Dardnne of Houston, Scott Dardnne of Austin; his great-grandaughters, Greer and Marin Bledsoe; and his entire Sturdisteel family. The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Attas for his spiritual counsel, medical help and long friendship. They would also like to express sincere appreciation to special caregivers Elvira Marton and Sandra Crim of Lucy's Loving Home Care LLC, and JayLynn Bisson and Katy Britain for their loving care. Pallbearers are Bob Anderson, Bryan Burchfiel, Grant Goss, Robert Groppe, David Hicks, Fred Johnson, Derrel Luce, Jeff Miller, Matt Stephens and Gary Wilson. Honorary Pallbearers are Mike Attas, Bill Bailey, Danny Blair, Dave Campbell, Barker Chapman, Bob Claypool, Billy Davis, Norman Hay, M.M. Key, Fred Lee, Don McAlister, Tommy McWilliams, Arnold Miller, Julian Oates, Pat Pattillo, Tony Rokas, Murray Watson and Carol Webb. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Austin Avenue United Methodist Church, 1300 Austin Avenue, Waco, TX 76701; Waco ISD Education Foundation, P.O. Box 2369, Waco, TX 76703, or the charity of your choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WHBfamily.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey