William J. “Bill” Sonnemaker, 94, passed away, December 28, 2024, at his home on Bass Lake, Indiana.
Born June 2, 1930, to the late Harry H. Sonnemaker Sr., and Grace (Reiferschied) Sonnemaker in Peoria, Illinois.
He married Nancy Lorenz on October 25, 1958, in Chicago, Illinois – she survives. Also surviving are two sons, James M. (Melissa) of Aurora, Colorado, Kenneth R. (Tawnya) of Indianapolis, Indiana and one daughter, Julie L. (Rik) Sonnemaker Ritzler of Bass Lake, Indiana and one daughter in law, Susan of Aurora, Colorado.
One son preceded him, William A. of Aurora, Colorado – deceased August 2023.
Bill had one brother, Harry H. Sonnemaker, Jr. – deceased 2015.
Also survived by twelve (12) grandchildren and sixteen (18) great grandchildren.
He attended St. Bernard’s Elementary school and Spalding Institute in Peoria, Illinois where he excelled in both academics and athletics, with football being his love. In 1947 he was a member of the GIPPs Jr All-star Fast Pitch Softball Team that won the National Title and later inducted into the Peoria Sports Hall of Fame. Bill continued his education at Bradley University obtaining his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering in 1954.
While at Bradley he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and enrolled in the USAF ROTC Program, being commissioned as a 2PndP Lt. in
1952.
Upon graduation from Bradley, he was called to active duty in the USAF. After completing his service in the AF, he took employment with the Ford Motor Company Aircraft Engine Division in Chicago, Illinois as a Facility Engineer. As the Ford plant closed in the late 50’s Bill and Nancy moved to the west coast as Bill joined Lockheed Missiles and Space Company in its Facility Operations Organization from 1959 through 1997, taking a leave of absence in the 1970’s to help with a family-owned root beer business. With Lockheed he progressed through the management levels in Facility Operations to become Director until his retirement.
He was chosen as the Lockheed Representative as a Stanford Sloan Executive Fellow for the 1968/69 school year in the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
He was a member of several Professional Organizations:
American Institute of Industrial Engineers
Society of Automotive Engineers
National Management Association
Industrial Development Research Council
International Facility Management Association
California Society of Professional Engineers
As well as being a Registered Professional Engineer in the state of California.
Bill was also active in the communities he lived serving as:
Director of School Boards in Sunnyvale, CA. and in Peoria, IL. As well as Culver Community School District in IN.
Director of Sunnyvale, CA. and Starke County, IN. Chamber of Commerce.
Director of the Bass Lake Property Owners Association
Director of Starke County United Way
A Director of the Starke County Economic Development Foundation
Director of Starke County, IN. SCILL Center
Member of the Knights of Columbus, 4PthP Degree
Member of St Mary’s of the Lake Catholic Church in Culver, IN.
American Legion Member
No services are scheduled at this time. The Braman and Son Memorial Chapel in Knox is in charge of arrangements.
