Petie "Pete" Joseph Schnatz

Petie (Pete) Joseph Schnatz, age 83, a resident of Silverhill, AL, passed away on July 20, 2024.

Pete was a lifetime resident of Lillian, Alabama on the shores of Perdido Bay where he spent much of his time fishing and swimming as a child.

He joined the Army when he was 18 and was stationed in Germany after completing basic training. He became a sharp shooter during those years.

After his honorable discharge he returned to Lillian from which he worked on oil rigs in the Gulf. Later he learned the welding trade and went to work for Westinghouse in Pensacola until he retired in 2000.

Pete grew up serving his community of Lillian as a child and continued to do so as an adult. He was a volunteer firefighter as well as Fire Chief of Lillian’s Fire Department. He was also in charge of the Independence Day firework show in Lillian for many years. His family donated the property where the fire station and community club now stand.

He loved fishing; especially bass and took part in many bass tournaments. He won many tournaments over the years.

He loved family events and attending performances and sporting events over the years with his wife in which his children and later grandchildren participated. He was a devoted, loving husband, dad and papa.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Pete and Betty Schnatz; sister, Betty Morris; and brother, Michael Schnatz.

Pete is survived by his wife of 38 years, Cherry Schnatz of Silverhill, AL; son, Brett (Rose) Sandford of Lillian, AL; daughter, Crystal (Michael) Phelps of Fairhope, AL; grandchildren, Bethany (Brad) Freemantle, Briana Sandford, Jack Phelps, and Blake Phelps; and many other loving relatives and friends.

 A visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, from 11:30 am - 12:15 pm followed by a celebration of Pete's life at 12:15 pm in the Foley Chapel of Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home. Inurnment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery at 2:30 pm.

To honor Pete’s memory, donations, in lieu of flowers, can be made to: the Fire Department of your choice.

ARRANGEMENTS BY

WOLFE-BAYVIEW

FUNERAL HOMES

& CREMATORY, INC.

2551 SOUTH MCKENZIE STREET

FOLEY, AL 36535

(251) 943-2391

www.wolfefuneralhomes.com