In Loving Memory William F. Schulte

October 25, 1941-February 14, 2023

An outstanding lawyer, honorable and ethical, as well as a kind and true gentleman, Bill will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Bill Schulte was born in Portland, October 25, 1941 to William and Frances Kahn Schulte. Bill attended Grant and Lincoln High Schools, graduating in 1959. He attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, and graduated in 1963. His lifelong work ethic began at age 12 with his first paper route. To earn spending money and help pay for college and law school, he held varied and often unusual jobs over the years, from loading freight on the docks to driving a school bus. He attended Willamette University College of Law where he made lasting friendships.

Bill’s first job as an attorney was as an associate lawyer with a private firm in Eugene. After returning to Portland, he served as a Deputy District Attorney in Multnomah County until 1972. He returned to private practice as an associate attorney with Davis, Jensen, DeFrancq & Holmes and later became the senior partner in what is now Schulte, Anderson, Downes, Aronson & Bittner. In 2004, he shifted from divorce litigation to serving as a mediator and reference judge in domestic relations matters.

Bill practiced law for over 53 years as a member of the OSB. Bill retired in 2019, regarded as one of the best domestic relations attorneys in Oregon. He was recognized in the publication “Best Lawyers in America” starting with the inaugural edition in 1983, as well as being perennially rated an Oregon “Super Lawyer” by his peers. He was a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, receiving their 2008 Professionalism Award in addition to the MBA Distinguished Legal Education Service Award. Throughout his career, Bill demonstrated the highest standards of professionalism, honesty, and ethics, earning him the respect of lawyers, judges, and clients. His legacy lives on through the many younger lawyers he mentored over the years.

In his personal life, he enjoyed intramural basketball and track until a shattered ankle limited those pursuits. Later, he took up road biking with a vengeance. He regularly rode with the Portland Bicycling Club and was proud to have completed the Seattle to Portland Bike Ride in one day.

In 1990, he met the love of his life, Laurie Pickett. Having broken too many bones road biking, he took up golf as a joint pursuit with her. He enjoyed it immensely. Bill and Laurie married in 1996 and were inseparable until his passing. They shared a passion for their garden, the many birds that visited it, and of course, dogs. They had several special dogs over the years and Bill could never pass a dog without petting it.

A voracious reader, Bill consumed up to three books a week on a broad variety of subjects. He read the New York Times Book Review every Sunday and reserved those that intrigued him from the downtown library he visited often. He was known to read while walking to and from work and was never without a paperback or crossword puzzle in his pocket. He had a keen intellect and a disciplined, competitive, and curious nature.

Bill took up walking for exercise in retirement and tracked his daily six miles simultaneously on his Fitbit and Pokémon Go on his iPhone, inspired by his grandchildren.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Laurie; sons, Ben Schulte and Dan Schulte; stepdaughter, Katie Bray and husband, Matt; stepson, Christian Stoll; sister, Judy Tanasse; brother, Henry Schulte and wife, Martha Hart; Tessalie Schulte; Brendan Freedman; grandchildren, Jacob Schulte, Joel Schulte and his daughter, Jayla, Sereita and Julian Schulte, Sophia and Gabby Stoll, and Daphne, Hayden, and Parker Bray; as well as his cousins, nieces, nephews, and their spouses and children. His adored dog, Ellie, remained by his side constantly for 13 years, even as he passed away from cancer at age 81, peacefully at home.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. To join the contact list or to share remembrances, email friendsofbillschulte@gmail.com.

Reflecting Bill’s lifelong devotion to literacy opportunities for all, memorial contributions may be made to The Library Foundation. More information can be found on the Multnomah County website. Tribute gifts will be designated to capital improvement at the North Portland Library, a branch with special meaning to him.

Shared by everyone at Schulte, Anderson

Wyden, Merkley Announce Timeline for Applications to Fill Upcoming Judicial Vacancy on US District Court in Oregon

US Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have announced that applications are being accepted through April 7 to fill an upcoming federal judicial vacancy in Oregon created by the recent announcement (available at www.bit.ly/hernandez-notification) from US District Court Judge Marco Hernandez that he will take senior status in August 2024.

“Judge Hernandez has dedicated his career to justice, serving with distinction as a federal judge in our state for more than a decade after coming to the US District Court with a diverse history of representing farm workers for Oregon Legal Services and then going on to work as a prosecutor in Washington County before becoming a state court judge,” Wyden and Merkley said.

“We thank Judge Hernandez for his stellar service on the federal bench and for all that he’s done to advance the cause of justice for all Oregonians,” the senators said. “In consultation with the White House, we will work with a judicial selection committee in Oregon to provide a strong field of nominees for President Biden to consider for this upcoming vacancy.”

Interested applicants for the judicial vacancy should send a letter of interest, resume and completed application (available at www.bit.ly/judicial-vacancy) to Senator Wyden’s office by April 7.

Wyden and Merkley will be forming a selection committee to consider applicants who submit their materials by the April 7 deadline.

What is the YLS?

An inclusive section of the bar, comprised of any MBA member in practice less than six years or under the age of 36. The YLS provides leadership, networking, professional development and service opportunities. And we have fun!