Wilbur "Bill" L. Sommer

Wilbur L. "Bill" Sommer, 93, of Metamora, IL, passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at Proctor Hospital, surrounded by family.

He was born on August 18, 1929, in Peoria, IL, a son of Albert and Elma (Bachman) Sommer. He married Marcia J. Houston in September, 1951. He then married Ralynne E. Bridges on August 31, 1982.

Bill is survived by his wife of 40 years, Lynne E. Sommer; children, Clint Sommer and Sherry (Lou) Wudtke both of Metamora; step-children, Joedy (Lori) Wake of Alaska, Kristy (John) Chapman of Texas, and Kenneth (Mayumi) Wake of Alaska; sixteen grandchildren; and twenty-one great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter-in-law, Gresha Sommer.

He served in the Illinois Air National Guard earning the rank of Staff Sergeant for seven years. Wilbur managed the family farm for over 30 years and sold livestock equipment in seven states. He was an active member of the local Farm Bureau and 4-H programs. He worked for the Center for Prevention of Abuse as the Facilities Maintenance Supervisor for 19 years and also for the Metamora Park District for several years.

He enjoyed volunteering for the Audubon Society conducting annual spring bird counts and winter predatorial bird counts with his wife. He was an avid outdoorsman, hunting and fishing in the mountains of Colorado and Alaska. He was a very caring and compassionate person, giving you the shirt off his back but never asking for one in return.

Cremation rites have been accorded. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 1, 2023 at Christian Union Church with Reverend Gary Salm officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to his service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Wilbur's name can be made to the Illinois Audubon Society, P.O. Box 2547, Springfield, IL 62708 or online at www.illinoisaudubon.org/donate/ or to the Metamora Park District, 214 East Partridge Street, Metamora, IL 61548. Mason Funeral Home Metamora Chapel is handling the arrangements.

Metamora Park District
214 East Partridge Street, Metamora IL 61548

Illinois Audubon Society
P.O. Box 2547, Springfield IL 62708
Web: http://www.illinoisaudubon.org/donate