William B. Schneider

FALMOUTH — William B. Schneider, 22, of Falmouth, died suddenly on Friday, July 6, 2012 when a car in which he was a passenger struck a tree in Naples.

He was born in Portland on June 21,1990 to Judith West and Bernard F. Schneider.

Will was raised in the Town Landing neighborhood of Falmouth Foreside and had relocated to Naples just this past year, where he was a proud and valued staff member of the Black Bear Café.

While attending school in Falmouth, Will was a strong butterfly swimmer for the swim team and a lacrosse long sticker.  He was a co-captain of his high school football team.

Will served as a Boy Scout in Troop 93 and as a volunteer in the Falmouth Fire Department Foreside Company.

Will was drawn to culinary service and spent time in the fine professional kitchens of the Portland Yacht Club, Hot Suppa and Walter’s, and most recently the Black Bear Cafe. He also enjoyed volunteering at the Portland Soup Kitchen.

Will attended Southern Maine Community College.

Will learned to swim and to fish in Casco Bay and on Norway Lake. He spent as many summer days as possible at his grandparents’ camp in Norway. He had a passion for music, movies and electronic games. A big open heart and an extremely generous nature were hallmarks of Will’s personality and treasured by his many friends.

He is survived by his parents, Judy and Barney; his older sister Becky; grandparents David and Suzanne West of Norway; grandmother Margaret Schneider of Cranford, N.J.; and a large and loving extended family, which includes 13 first-cousins and many adoring aunts and uncles.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 11 a.m. at Falmouth Congregational Church, 267 Falmouth Road, Falmouth.

In lieu of flowers, donations in William Schneider’s memory may be made to the Culinary Arts Program, Southern Maine Community College, South Portland.