Mr. William M. Schafer, PhD

Deceased: 2019-10-17

Diocese: LANSING

Seminary Graduation Year: 1966

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Schafer, William 1/10/1941 – 10/17/2019 Ann Arbor, Michigan William “Bill” Schafer died Thursday peacefully in his sleep at home. He was 78 years old. He had a fast growing tumor on his heart and had only been ill for a couple of months. Bill was born January 10, 1941, in Oak Park, Illinois to Raymond and Marion Schafer.

He entered a Roman Catholic seminary in high school and was ordained as a priest in Rome for the archdiocese of Chicago. After leaving the priesthood he married Bonnie Ruff in 1969 with whom he had two dearly loved children, Maureen (married to David Klerkx) and Matthew. In 1976 he earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Michigan. He married Alice Mixer in 1994 and became the grateful stepfather of Tobias Mixer. He later became the proud and glad grandfather of Simon and Vivian Schafer Klerkx and Scott and Brett Mixer.

Dr. Schafer was an early pioneer in the field of infant mental health, was active in related state and national organizations, and over the years was teacher and mentor to hundreds of workers in that field. For over 40 years he had a private psychotherapy practice in Ann Arbor. He was an excellent pianist, and loved tennis, travel, foreign languages, and was a gourmet chef.

He was preceded in death by his sister Marianne Kronwall. He is survived by his family as listed above and by his sister Molly DiDominicis. Memorial services have not yet been arranged.