By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. (Jan 8, 2026)
Bill Schultz, a U.S. Navy veteran and longtime El Dorado County public servant, died Nov. 28 at age 92, leaving a legacy of modernized election systems and veterans advocacy. His career included roles as Recorder-Clerk and Registrar of Voters, where he guided the county through transitions to auditable paper ballots and expanded access for military and overseas voters. Schultz was also deeply involved with the El Dorado County Veterans Monument and veterans events. Family and community will gather Jan. 28 at the Veterans Memorial Building in Placerville to remember his life and impact.
CPO William Schultz U.S. Navy (Ret.)
William “Bill” Schultz was born in 1933 in Montebello, Ca into a military family. His father retired from the U.S. Navy in 1959 after serving 28 years. Bill entered boot camp in 1952, graduated as “Honorman” of company 0488 in San Diego, Ca. He then graduated from Aviation Mechanic School in Norman, Oklahoma and became a Flight Engineer in preparation for duty in Korea. Later in his career he volunteered to be trained as an Air Traffic Controller. He served at many duty stations in the U.S. and overseas and also served aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise (CVAN-65) from 1966 to 1970 for four separate tours off the coast of Vietnam, during this tour of duty he was advanced to Chief Petty Officer.
In 1972 he retired from the Navy and settled down in Placerville, CA. He was the Data Processing Manager for Mother Lode Bank, and then worked for El Dorado County in many positions before running for the office of Recorder-Clerk and being elected in 1995.
🪖 Military Service
William “Bill” Schultz was a United States Navy veteran with a distinguished career in the service:
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Born in 1933 into a military family in Montebello, California.
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Entered Navy boot camp in 1952, graduating as “Honorman” of his company.
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Completed Aviation Mechanic School in Norman, Oklahoma, and became a flight engineer.
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Later volunteered for training as an Air Traffic Controller — a role of critical responsibility for naval aviation operations.
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Served at multiple duty stations in the U.S. and overseas, including service aboard the USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) during four separate tours off the coast of Vietnam (1966–1970).
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Advanced to the rank of Chief Petty Officer before retiring from the Navy in 1972.
His military background grounded him in leadership, discipline, and public service — traits he carried into his civilian career.
🏛️ Public Service & Political Career in El Dorado County
After military retirement, Bill Schultz settled in Placerville (El Dorado County), California, and transitioned into local government and community leadership:
✔️ County Government Roles
Bill Schultz held a series of influential positions within the County of El Dorado government:
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Records Management Coordinator (1990–1994) — building expertise in county records and administration.
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Elected Recorder-Clerk and Registrar of Voters (first elected in 1995 and serving for many years thereafter).
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He was also appointed Interim Director of Veterans Affairs for the county.
These roles positioned him at the intersection of elections administration, records management, and veterans’ issues.
🗳️ Modernizing Elections & Voter Access
Schultz is widely remembered for his leadership in modernizing El Dorado County’s election systems:
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Under his stewardship as Registrar of Voters, the county transitioned to modern, auditable paper-based ballot systems, strengthening election integrity and public confidence.
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He worked on compliance with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and improved voter access, particularly making voting easier for military personnel stationed overseas under provisions like the UOCAVA program.
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Colleagues described him as having “a steady hand” during technical upgrades, guiding the county through changes without compromising accuracy or voter service.
These enduring reforms affect how voters in El Dorado County cast ballots today, especially absentee and overseas ballots.
🇺🇸 Veterans Advocacy & Community Leadership
Beyond bureaucratic leadership, Schultz was a passionate advocate for veterans’ recognition and support:
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He was a founder and supporter of the El Dorado County Veterans Monument — helping bring a visible tribute to service members just east of the county government center.
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Schultz frequently served as emcee and speaker at Veterans Day ceremonies and other military commemorations in the county.
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In Veterans Affairs Commission meetings, he voiced concerns and worked on issues such as honoring fallen troops and veteran memorial initiatives.
His role merged civic duty with personal commitment, emphasizing that honoring veterans was “not symbolic — it was personal.”
🧑⚖️ Political Reputation & Legacy
Bill Schultz was seen as a non-partisan public servant rather than a traditional party politician:
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He was elected to office by voters in his county roles, demonstrating community trust and broad respect.
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His work focused on efficiency, integrity, and service rather than partisan politics.
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The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors honored his memory in a December 2025 meeting, reflecting the community’s appreciation after his passing.
His legacy encompasses both institutional improvements (especially in elections) and lasting support for veterans.
📌 Summary of Accomplishments
Military
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U.S. Navy service with aviation mechanic and air traffic control roles.
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Vietnam era duty aboard USS Enterprise.
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Achieved rank of Chief Petty Officer.
Public/Political Service
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Long-time county official: Recorder-Clerk, Registrar of Voters.
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Led modernization of elections systems.
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Ensured greater access for overseas and military voters.
Veteran Advocacy
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Founder and supporter of Veterans Monument.
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Public speaker at Veterans Day and memorial events.
