William Burton “Burt” Schutza, 44, of Waco, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at his residence.
Memorial Service: 2:30 p.m. Friday, February 26, at Lake Shore Funeral Home with Pastor John Rambeau officiating
Due to COVID-19, very limited seating will be available. For those unable to attend the memorial service, you may watch the service via Live Stream
Burt was born September 22, 1976 in Waco, the only child of Marvin William Schutza and Ruth Carole Hinds Schutza. He grew up with the complete love and support of his parents. He also had the love and support of his grandparents, Jean McLennan Hinds Fulp and Loy Burton Fulp, William Edwin Hinds, Mary Kruze Schutza and W.J. Schutza who all are deceased. Additionally, he had a host of aunts, uncles and cousins who were all so dear to him.
Burt was Christened in the First Methodist Church of Crawford by Rev. J.E. Morton who had baptized his mother, married Gaggie and PawPaw (Jean and Loy Fulp) and married his Mom and Dad. Burt learned from an early age to express to all “I love you and I’m sorry”. He had many interests and just as many friends from every walk of life that were so important to him.
He excelled in school from the beginning of his education although he never wanted to be known for that. After being offered academic and soccer scholarships and as a resident of Athens, Georgia, he elected to be “just a regular student” as a proud Georgia Bulldog. Burt graduated with a degree in Environmental Science and started a career at the USDA. Later when following his parents back to Waco, he enrolled at MCC and received two more degrees being the first direct McLennan descendant (fourth great-grandson) of Neil McLennan the founder of this county.
As you who knew Burt, he was fun loving, compassionate, funny and had a great zest for life and everyone he was associated with which lead him to careers in sales and to his main love that of the hospitality industry. He cherished his long association with all his friends at Chili’s and more recently his position with La Madeleine French Bakery and Cafe in Waco. Burt was so proud to be one of the originals in the opening of the restaurant. As a friend and GM said, “Burty” (as he was affectionately known) was our “Mr. Fix It….He was our Pick Me Up…He was our Happy….He was our Laughter!” As Burt told his Mother one time, “If you don’t love me…then you don’t know me”. He truly cherished everyone of the individuals he came in touch with in his life.
Burt loved to cook for his family and friends and share the hospitality of a special meal and a good cold drink with all. Remember him today as you do this. He had survived several life threatening events in his life which he never wanted to be defined by, but this time his little rabbits foot was lost. As written in John 16:22, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice and no one will take away your joy”.
Burt is survived by his parents; Uncle Albert “Peanuts” Schutza and aunt Debbie; aunt, Sally Jo McLennan Truhlar; and much loved cousins and friends. He is also survived by his step-children, Peyton and Laney.
Memorials in Burt’s memory may be directed to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org or you may contribute to a “Memory Bench” and mail your contribution payable to Mr. and Mrs. Marvin William Schutza, in care of Lake Shore Funeral Home, 5201 Steinbeck Bend Rd, Waco, TX 76708
Place of Service: Lake Shore Funeral Home , 5201 Steinbeck Bend; Waco, TX 76708
Print Obituary & Condolences
Burt was such a wonderful man. He was my boss at La Madeline and even though I didnt work there anymore .
I had just spoken to him 2 days prior.
I know he is in a better place.
He was loved so much.
Marvin and Ruth, my heart is absolutely breaking for you. Burt was such an amazing friend to me, and I know he loved you two with all his heart. Any time you’re down and craving an apple pie, or his favorite key lime, I’ll be honored to bring it to you! See you tomorrow
Ruth Carole, I am so sorry to hear that your son passed away. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Sending hugs!
Judy Miller
I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is my prayers.
My friend, I’ll miss him. Gone too soon…
My deepest condolences for the family. Thoughts and prayers for you. Your memories will become treasures.
Love Faye
We did not know Burt personally but my daughter’s favorite place to eat is La Madeline. He has always been so kind to her and done whatever he could to make sure she had her favorite pasta and cookie. He was so helpful and always made us feel like family. He will definitely be missed by our family! Prayers for you through such a sudden loss.
I am so sorry for your loss Mr. and Mrs. Schutza. I had just talked to him 2 days prior.
Burt was a wonderful man and boss to me . Even though I no longer worked for La Madeline he still checked up on me. I know hes in a better place. he will be missed dearly.
Our hearts are broken for you. I will always remember Burt as sweet, loving, and maybe a little mischievous at times, just like my own kids, and together – they had a great childhood, for which I have always been grateful. I can’t and don’t want to believe he is gone. But I will share a quote by A. A. Milne that has helped me through my saddest losses: “If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together… there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we’re apart… I’ll always be with you.” And he will! Sending you our love and our prayers.
Burt made me laugh a million times – throughout middle school and beyond. He was one a kind. I am so, sorry for your loss. I will always love and miss him.
We know Burt and Love him dearly. Burt was part of the family here in Austin for a while and we looked forward to his visits. Of course it is impossible to measure the grief and love and sadness along with the beautiful memories of Burt. We will keep him alive in our hearts forever.
This is a beautiful tribute to Burt’s enormous heart. So many are missing him, as he made such an impact on everyone who knew him. He was a giant presence and was so silly, kind, smart, and funny. I hate that he left the world too soon, and that Ruth and Marvin have to experience the world without him. I am holding you both in my hurting heart as I grieve Burt. He was a beautiful soul, and he will never be forgotten.
Sometimes people happen in your life. They leave lasting impressions that can alter your take on this old crazy world. I think so many here are at such a loss for words because there are none quite eloquent enough to describe Burt.
Burt was one of my managers at La Madeliene’s. I truly enjoyed is charismatic way of showing how such a diverse group of people can work together to make the most difficult days happen successfully. And if you got his humor….well that was a huge perk. Burt was a riot with words. He always gave a man/woman a chance, never took anything personally, and he was always there to listen if you needed an ear to bend. He had an excellent way of showing you how to suck it up and just get done with the day if “poor pitiful me” set in. If he couldn’t make you laugh he sure was right there next to you helping you kick through the sudden pile up of tasks just to keep you happy and content. I hope everyone who met and/or knew him got to see that. Burt was truly an AMAZING human being. I’m so sorry his time was cut so short. But I am glad I met him. It’s people like him that make me a better person.
Ruth Carole and Marvin, I am so sorry to see that your son, Burt, has gone before you. It sounds as though he inherited his mother’s personality. My sincere sympathy and prayers for you both during this difficult time.
Burt was truly one of a kind. A sincere and hilarious friend and brother. He both brought and evoked laughter at all times. My sincerest condolences and love to his family. He will always live in my heart and thoughts, until we meet again. Much love, Burt!
My deepest sympathy for his family. I hope I can be so bold as to consider Burt a friend. He was certainly more than a colleague. Over the last year and a half, we’d really gotten to know one another. He was so sweet and funny, and that’s how Krystian and I will remember him always. He made a significant impact in our lives at La Madeliene and he will be dearly missed.
When Great Trees Fall
by Maya Angelou
When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.
When great trees fall
in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses
eroded beyond fear.
When great souls die,
the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,
promised walks
never taken.
Great souls die and
our reality, bound to
them, takes leave of us.
Our souls,
dependent upon their
nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their
radiance,
fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance
of dark, cold
caves.
And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.
❤️❤️❤️
Burts passing is so heartbreaking to so many. He was so loved, and deep condolences to Ruth and Marvin – you raised a truly amazing and kind son who loved you SO MUCH! I am the bartender at Hemingways – and the three of you would come in on his birthday and share cake with everyone!! I knew Burt quite a while and would have wonderdul heart to hearts with him. He was a cheerleader to everyone. My husband Ken and our colleague (Woody – a dear feiend of his from Chili’s) and I would love to name a drink after him in our new menu. It will have to be something that leaves everyone feeling warm and happy – the way he made all of us feel when we were around him. ❤
Burt was extremely special to me. We worked at the Waco chili’s together. If you know us, we’d work doubles and then and on our break we’d go get tequila shots…after our shift I’d have to take him home….Burt was definitely one of my favorite people. In fact, my last birthday, I spent at burts house playing games with him. I miss you already man RIP
Oh Burt, the only person that could make me laugh so hard at 5:00 AM! He gave me some of the greatest memories at La Madeleine and I will carry those in my heart forever. I’m sending my deepest condolences to his friends and family. He was such a light in each life he came across, and will be greatly missed but always remembered.
I had the biggest crush on Burt at Elementary school and Nazarene day care on Manchaca road in Austin Texas when we were kids . He always made my day. I just looked him up and saw this. So sorry for your loss.