Willard Schmidt was born and raised in Embarrass, Wisconsin. He attended Clintonville High School and was an active participant in football, baseball and track, in addition to being Junior Class President.
Following his graduation in 1952, he attended St. Norbert College in DePere, Wisconsin for his freshman year. He transferred to Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin, graduating in1956 in the area of physics. He completed his masters program in the areas of science and education at the University of Northern Iowa in1963.
While attending Lawrence University, Willard happened to enroll in an elective physical education class in the sport of wrestling. Upon winning the intramural championship, Willard was invited to join the varsity wrestling program. Despite a record of no wins and eight losses, the interest for future involvement in the sport was initiated.
After completing a two year tour of duty as an engineer at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, Willard chose a career in Education. In 1958, following discharge from the Army, he accepted a teaching and coaching position at Wausau, Wisconsin, where he coached football and initiated the wrestling program.
During the years of 1959-1960, Willard's teams posted a dual meet record of seven wins and 17 loses. He coached two state qualifiers in those two years.
For the next thirty years Willard taught physics and coached football and wrestling at Preble High School in Green Bay where he again was instrumental in starting a new wrestling program. Over the 30 years, Willard amassed a record of 165-170-2. He coached 40 conference champions, 56 regional champions, 16 sectional champions and 38 state qualifiers, 12 were place winners at the state meet, with two capturing state titles. His teams won numerous tournament titles including the Packerland Conference Championship and three regional championships.
During 32 years of coaching, Willard continuously gave his time to the youth in the community in promoting sports and competition. In addition to coaching at the high school level, he tried to instill interest in the sport of wrestling by initiating and conducting grade school and middle programs on a voluntary basis.
Willard retired from coaching varsity wrestling in 1991. He remains active in the teaching profession through substitute teaching and part time teaching at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College.
Willard and his wife, Betty, reside in Green Bay. They have three children, Anne, Greg and Judie, all married, as well as five grandchildren.