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Bill was born July 16, 1908 in Fremont to Frank and Caroline 'Schultz' Sommers. He was a life time Fremont resident. He graduated from Fremont High School, and then attended the University of Nebraska where he received his degree in electrical engineering.
He began working for the Fairmont Creamery in Fremont. Then in 1934, he went to work for the Fremont Dept. of Utilities. After 15 years there, he became the general manager and remained in that position for the next 25 years, retiring in 1975 with 40 years of service. Bill was instrumental in helping to design the Lon Wright Power plant. He had also assisted in the design of a power plant in Wyoming.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he had been baptized and confirmed. He served on the church board of ministries (church council) as an Elder and had also served as president of the board. He had also been active in the church choir. Bill provided the vocal music for many weddings and funerals. He had been involved in the American Red Cross for over 55 years, and there is now a William J. Sommers Humanitarian Award presented to an area resident each year. He joined the Fremont Kiwanis Club in 1946. He served with distinction various board and officer responsibilities and was the club president in 1978-79. He maintained perfect weekly attendance for over 60 years. Bill was instrumental in founding the Fremont Golden "K" Kiwanis Club and had attended their meeting Tuesday morning. And he was a former member of the Anglers Club.
On September 1, 1933, Bill was married in Chicago to Edna Kruger. His survivors include:
wife - Edna
daughter - Judith and husband Mike Olson of Boone, Iowa
10 grandchildren
10 great grandchildren
5 great, great grandchildren
nieces and nephews
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Caroline, brothers Ed and Carl, and son James, and a great, great grandson.
The funeral service will be 10 AM Saturday (May 31st) in Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. Michael Meyer officiating. The committal will follow in Memorial Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran School and the American Red Cross.
Visitation at the Ludvigsen Mortuary will be on Friday from 2 to 8 PM, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 PM..
He began working for the Fairmont Creamery in Fremont. Then in 1934, he went to work for the Fremont Dept. of Utilities. After 15 years there, he became the general manager and remained in that position for the next 25 years, retiring in 1975 with 40 years of service. Bill was instrumental in helping to design the Lon Wright Power plant. He had also assisted in the design of a power plant in Wyoming.
He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he had been baptized and confirmed. He served on the church board of ministries (church council) as an Elder and had also served as president of the board. He had also been active in the church choir. Bill provided the vocal music for many weddings and funerals. He had been involved in the American Red Cross for over 55 years, and there is now a William J. Sommers Humanitarian Award presented to an area resident each year. He joined the Fremont Kiwanis Club in 1946. He served with distinction various board and officer responsibilities and was the club president in 1978-79. He maintained perfect weekly attendance for over 60 years. Bill was instrumental in founding the Fremont Golden "K" Kiwanis Club and had attended their meeting Tuesday morning. And he was a former member of the Anglers Club.
On September 1, 1933, Bill was married in Chicago to Edna Kruger. His survivors include:
wife - Edna
daughter - Judith and husband Mike Olson of Boone, Iowa
10 grandchildren
10 great grandchildren
5 great, great grandchildren
nieces and nephews
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Caroline, brothers Ed and Carl, and son James, and a great, great grandson.
The funeral service will be 10 AM Saturday (May 31st) in Trinity Lutheran Church with the Rev. Michael Meyer officiating. The committal will follow in Memorial Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to Trinity Lutheran School and the American Red Cross.
Visitation at the Ludvigsen Mortuary will be on Friday from 2 to 8 PM, with the family receiving friends from 6 to 8 PM..