Posted on 05/12/2025 2:15:42 PM PDT by Morgana
Residents of a small town in Arizona are reeling after a pastor was found murdered April 28 in his home. William Schonemann, 76, was pastor of New River Bible Chapel in New River, Ariz., where he was known as “Pastor Bill,” according to the Arizona Republic.
Investigators with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office have not released much information on the case beyond confirming they discovered Schonemann’s body the evening of April 28 after responding to a report of a deceased elderly male. They have not announced any suspects, arrests or motives for the crime.
The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Schonemann’s death a homicide.
According to KSAZ-TV Ch. 10, the Fox affiliate in Phoenix, multiple sources said Schonemann was discovered on his bed with his arms spread wide and his hands pinned to the wall. The pastor appeared to have significant injuries.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the case, according to spokesperson David Moyer.
“There are specific and unique circumstances to this case that we are not at liberty to discuss to ensure we keep the integrity of the investigation,” he stated. “We hope to have an update very soon.”
New River Bible Chapel, a nondenominational church, did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Roys Report (TRR).
Schonemann’s son, Randall, issued a statement on behalf of his family KPNX-TV, Ch. 12, the NBC affiliate in Phoenix.
“Our dad had such a positive impact on people everywhere he went,” the statement read. “We will miss the loving guidance and patience. The happiness he showed just getting to walk around an airport getting his steps in. The creativity of all the machines he built. There are never enough words to say it all or to say it as well as a person would like. Simply, he is missed.” Schonemann murder New River Arizona
Randall Schonemann told the Arizona Republic his father, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in Vietnam, had pastored at New RIver Bible Chapel for 25 years.
Schonemann enjoyed working on cars and planes, according to friends that spoke with Fox 10. They said Schonemann would attend weekly Red Devil’s Hot Rod Club meetings in a West Phoenix parking lot and had repaired or improved several of their vehicles.
They also described him as a kind and loving man.
“A couple years ago I was going through a really hard time and Bill invited me up again to the church, hot rod club member Richard Kordylas told Fox 10. “So I went up there and I told him what was going on and he got me aside and put his hands on my head and kind of evoked the Holy Spirit to help me through this and forgive me and that was cool. The world is a better place for him having been in it.”
New River resident Eric Asher told the Arizona Republic that he would often see Schonemann when the pastor was out on a morning walk. He said Schonemann often talked about visiting his son in Montana to help him work on airplanes or build custom pickup trucks.
“Why would anyone hurt Bill? I don’t understand how someone could do something like that. It’s still unfathomable,” Asher said.
New River, pop. 17,000, is approximately 30 miles north of Phoenix.
Rip Pastor Schonemann
“...his arms spread wide and his hands pinned to the wall. The pastor appeared to have significant injuries...”
That sounds demonic, like crucifying. Perhaps someone tortured him trying to get him to give up the proverbial donation box or acct info on the assumption pastors have money?
40 miles north of Phx give or take a mile.
Arms spread wide, hands pinned to the wall? Sounds like crucified? Prayers up.
He may well be completely innocent.
Was actually wondering this.
More likely murdered by an illegal or the cartel than a vengeful partner.
That’s the most likely reason.
Bump
He was 76. I am one year older.
25 years in that Church?
Pure evil is only type who would kill him.
Very sad. His friends appreciated him.
Family and friends honor New River pastor’s “Billbuilt” legacy (May 10, 2025)
https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/family-and-friends-honor-new-river-pastors-billbuilt-legacy
RIP
Pastor.
That was terrible for you to speculate about a dead pastor like that. Then you qualify it and say he might be innocent. You are the absolute worst to judge someone like that who was just brutally killed.
Then you have to ask yourself for the reason for revenge. This was not "give me your wallet". This was someone "getting even".
Amen
Thanks for the Link...
I’m just north of New River.
.
It just hit me of the evil that
is just beyond our sight but that
It’s always ready to strike.
The world is different.
Seems like all states have to some degree taken the insanity pill. And Evil stalks daily too.
ZIZIANS come to mind.
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