Reverend Dr. William Frederick Scholl, Jr.

Reverend Dr. William Frederick Scholl, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and devoted servant of the Lord, passed away peacefully on October 4, 2024, surrounded by his loving family in Jacksonville, Florida. Born on October 4, 1942, in the Bronx, NY, Bill lived a life marked by faith, service, and an unwavering commitment to his children and community.

Bill graduated from Dumont High School, Dumont, New Jersey in 1960, where he was honored with induction into the Sports Hall of Fame in 1980. He continued his education at Ursinus College in Pennsylvania, where he also earned a place in the sports hall of fame for his athletic prowess.  In 1964 Bill graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history and married his childhood sweetheart, Carol Joan DeSilva.  Together, Bill and Carol raised three children during their 22 years of marriage.

After serving two honorable years in the Army Reserve, Bill pursued his calling to ministry at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he later earned his PhD in Theology. He was ordained as a Lutheran minister in 1972, dedicating his life to serving five churches across Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Florida: Evangelical Lutheran Church of Durham, Durham Township, Pennsylvania; Resurrection Lutheran Church, Levittown, Pennsylvania; Reformation Lutheran Church, Media, Pennsylvania; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Manasquan, New Jersey; and, St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, Florida. October 31, 2004, after thirty years in the ordained ministry, Bill retired. He continued to share his gifts with various congregations in North Florida as an interim and substitute pastor for another sixteen years. During this time, he met and married his love, Jan Giordano.

Bill’s legacy extends beyond his pastoral work. He is survived by his loving wife, Jan Scholl; his three children, Jonathan Scott and his wife Dawn, Jessica Leigh and her husband Steve, and Kirsten Elizabeth.  He was also a proud grandfather "Pop" to eight grandchildren: Jessica, Tyler, Billy, Justin, Jenna, Christian, Zachary, and Owen who predeceased his grandfather in 2021. Bill was also a great-grandfather to four: Leia, Nora, Ryan, and Amelia.

An avid golfer, Bill found joy on the course, where he embraced the challenges of patience and perfectionism. He was also a talented accordion player, loved the outdoorsmanship offered by fishing and hunting, enjoyed “valuable beach time,” and was a lifelong sports enthusiast, with football holding a special place in his heart during his youth.

Above all, Bill will be remembered for his boundless love for his family and his compassion for all humankind. His passion for life, faith, and his loved ones was evident to everyone who knew him. His warm spirit and dedication to service left a lasting impact on all those fortunate enough to cross his path.

A memorial service celebrating Bill's life and legacy will be held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 3976 Hendricks Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207 at 10:00 on October 19, 2024.  A Celebration of Life will also be held at Bill’s first church, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Durham, 821 Durham Road, Durham, PA 18039 on Saturday, November 2, 2024 at 11:00.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to Nemours Children’s Hospital, 1600 Rockland Road, Wilmington, DE 19803 in honor of his great love who he/we lost too soon, Owen Cappella.

Bill will be deeply missed but lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved him.