Laconia-----William Schrafft Schulz, 79, of 5 Andover Place and formerly of Bean Cove, Squam Lake, Moultonboro, NH died at his home on January 25, 2007 with his wife and Abagale Rose and Shadow by his side.

Mr. Schulz was born October 25, 1927 in Dedham, MA, the son of Franc (Henkle) and Robert William Schrafft Schulz.  He lived in Manchester, NH for several years where he attended grammar school.  After high school, he enlisted in the U. S. Army and served two years in the Pacific and the Far East.  Following his service in WWII, he attended Babson College in Wellesley, MA.  He graduated in 1951 with majors in economics and finance.  For many years he continued as a member of the Board of Overseers and served on many college committees.

Early in 1956, he purchased a small manufacturing business in Concord, NH.  With hands-on effort and strict quality controls, his small company, which produced industrial floor cleaning products, became a very profitable business for the next thirty years until he sold it in 1986.

In 1959, Mr. Schulz began a second business venture - commercial real estate in Boston.  Later, he added commercial units in Concord and Bow and purchased development land in Moultonboro and Jackson, NH.  By this time, he had offices in Concord as well as Boston.

In 1965, at the behest of some senior members of the Schrafft family who were also relatives, Mr. Schulz was asked to investigate and evaluate the improper management accounting practices of W.F. Schrafft & Sons in Boston,  The company at one time was one of the biggest confectionary manufacturers in the world.  As a result of Mr. Schulz’s two year investigation and with the help of two law firms, criminal charges were brought against top management.  In 1966, this was one of the big scandals on the New York Stock Exchange.  Because of Mr. Schulz’s success, he was appointed a Trustee of the W.F. Schrafft Trust.  Eventually the organization became a Financial Trust.  During his tenure, the assets and income quadrupled.  After twenty-six successful years, Mr. Schulz retired from his position.

Mr. Schulz met his wife, Marnie, when she was the principle speaker at one of his Rotary Club meetings in Concord.  They married a year later and raised two children.

Mr. Schulz and his wife traveled extensively, having visited all of the continents, including Antarctica.  They also traveled, by small boat, down the Inter-coastal Waterway from Rhode Island to Florida and cruised all of the Great Lakes, the Erie Canal and the Hudson River.

Mr. Schulz enjoyed the Civil War, boating, skiing and being out doors all year long.  He was a fifty plus year member of the White Mts. Ski Runners.

 Survivors include his wife, Marnie (Blaisdell) Schulz, of Laconia; a son and daughter-in-law, William Schrafft Schulz, Jr. and Judy Oakes, of Dover, MA; a step daughter, Pennie Magnes, of Jacksonville, Florida; two grandchildren, Johanna and Nathaniel Schulz, and a step-granddaughter, Nicole Anne Magnes; a sister, Barbara Schulz Brown Watts, and her husband, Peter, of Waterbury Center, Vermont; one niece and one nephew.

According to Bill’s wishes, there will be no calling hours or funeral services.

Burial will be in Bayview Cemetery, Franklin, Maine.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the LRGH/Community Wellness Center/Capital Fund, PO Box 1627, Laconia, NH 03247 or to the New Hampshire Humane Society, P.O. Box 572, Laconia, NH 03247.

 Wilkinson-Beane Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is in charge of the arrangements.