William "Bill" Schug

A Memorial Service for William "Bill" Schug, age 84, of Spirit Lake will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026, at 11:00am at Life360 in the Founder's Hall of the Okoboji Bible Conference.

William Edward Schug, son of Edward and Grace Schug, was born on July 23, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois. He passed away peacefully on September 8, 2026.

Bill earned his Ministerial Degree from Toccoa Falls College in Georgia. He served in several roles throughout his working career, including steel manufacturing, pastoral ministry, school bus driving, and later as a Walmart door greeter, where he enjoyed welcoming and visiting with those around him.

Bill enlisted in the United States Army in 1964 and was honorably discharged in 1966.

He was united in marriage to Linda Watts in 1963, and they later divorced in 1980. In 1985, Bill married Gail Zacharias in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. Throughout his life, Bill lived in several communities including Chicago, Fox Lake, and Crystal Lake, Illinois; Toccoa Falls, Georgia; Jamestown, North Dakota; Kabekona, Minnesota; and Sioux City, Iowa. In 2023, Bill and Gail made Spirit Lake, Iowa, their home. They enjoyed spending their summers in Spirit Lake and their winters in Arizona City, Arizona.

Bill was affiliated with the Evangelical Methodist Church and later attended Life360 in Okoboji. He was also a member of the Sioux City Anglers.

Bill enjoyed many things in life, especially fishing and boating. He was an avid sports fan, proudly cheering on the Chicago Bears and Chicago Cubs. He also enjoyed playing bingo and traveling, making memories along the way with those he loved.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Gail Schug; children: Denise (Ricky) Hestor, William Brian, Patricia (Richard) Cherkas, Zacharias Schug; 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Grace (Sullivan) Schug; brother, Robert Schug; several in-laws, nieces and nephews.