Robert William (Bill) Schroeder, Jr. departed this earthly life early on the morning of Sunday, March 30, 2025, surrounded by his family's love and while being cared for by the compassionate staff of Hospice of Texarkana.

Bill was a loving husband of 60 years to Mary Shoptaw Schroeder, proud father to Robert William (Trey) Schroeder III, dear father-in-law to Megan DeLamar Schroeder, and devoted grandfather to Frances Rose Schroeder and Eleanor Allen Schroeder.

He was the first-born child of Louise Berniece Spann Schroeder and Robert William Schroeder, Sr. on June 19, 1940, in Memphis, Tennessee, and grew up in Star City, Arkansas. He was the older brother to Sue Schroeder Pearcy, Phil Schroeder, and Julie Schroeder Bridgforth, all of whom survive him, as do his nieces and nephews—Missy Pearcy, Jenny Pearcy Ligon, Becky Pearcy Bridges, Shane Bridgforth, David Bridgforth, Patrick Bridgforth, Mark Shoptaw, Suzanne Smith, Brett Shoptaw, and Holly Giles. He is also survived by his granddaughters' Nana, Nancy DeLamar, and his beloved brother-in-law Ralph Shoptaw.

Bill and his siblings had a wonderful Arkansas Delta childhood filled with good parents, fresh air, youthful antics, a variety of colorful, small-town characters, a multitude of pets, and lifelong friendships. He attended the University of Arkansas and graduated from Ouachita Baptist University, where he met the beautiful and smart Mary Shoptaw of Texarkana in world history class. They wed in 1964 and soon moved to her hometown, where he joined her family's business, Shoptaw & Sons Pulpwood, Inc. He revered his father-in-law, J.N. Shoptaw. There are many tales about his time working with his Shoptaw brothers-in-law, Jewell and Ralph, and some are fit for public consumption. Later, he became a successful salesman for Arkla Taylor and Hugg & Hall, traveling the midsouth for decades until retiring, albeit reluctantly, in 2017. He probably knew more about heavy-duty forklifts than anyone in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. He loved being on the road all week, meeting with customers and closing deals. He leaves many dear friends and former coworkers to mourn his loss.

However, the joy of his life was coming home to Mary, and later his granddaughters, always game to accompany them anywhere, anytime, to places near and far. He loved spending time with his family on Lake Hamilton, where he excelled at trying to bounce his granddaughters off an inner tube behind a boat. Mary and Bill—or Sissy and Papa—spent the last 25 years lavishing their time and attention on Frances and Eleanor, who will miss him dearly. He was so proud of them, their hard work, and their many accomplishments.

Bill had a warm smile and handshake, a quick joke and a kind word for everyone he encountered. He was equally at home spending the night in the Lincoln Bedroom (as the guest of a certain president from Arkansas) as he was visiting with a pulpwood hauler. He and Mary were active in Arkansas Democratic politics for many years and were proud members of the Arkansas Travelers.

Bill was a lifelong Southern Baptist and longtime member of Beech Street First Baptist Church.

Visitation will be Sunday, April 6, from 4-6 pm at Texarkana Funeral Home, 3515 Texas Boulevard. His funeral will be Monday, April 7, at 11 a.m. at Beech Street First Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Opportunities Inc., Hospice of Texarkana, or your own church.

His family wishes to acknowledge the steadfast care of his physicians, Drs. Bruce Mickey, Brett Dietze, and Brent Robinson, and his many other caregivers, especially Andrea Heflin and Charles Shoalmire.