William Somerville

William "Bill" R. Somerville, age 91, of Raymond, died Saturday morning, April 1, at Rice Care Center in Willmar.

Services will be held at 2:30 PM, Thursday, April 6, at First United Methodist Church in Raymond. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5-7 PM at the First United Methodist Church in Raymond and one hour prior to the services at church on Thursday. Interment will be in the Fairview Cemetery in Raymond. Military Honors will be provided by the Austin F. Hanscom American Legion Post 167 of Willmar. Arrangements are with Peterson Brothers Funeral Home in Willmar.

William Robert Somerville was born on July 22, 1925 in Willmar, Minnesota, the son of Fanny (Weld) and Jay Albert Somerville. He grew up in the Raymond area and graduated from Willmar High School in 1942. He served in the Army during WW II and returned to the Raymond area after his discharge. On November 24, 1952 he married Evelyn Jeanette Jacobson at Eagle Lake Lutheran Church in Willmar. They made their home on a farm in Chippewa County near Raymond and they farmed until Bill retired due to his health. He and his boys went in to carpentry business and later he and his son formed the SOS Building and Repair Company. Bill retired in the late 1980's. He has been a resident of Rice Care Center since April of 2015. He was a poet and story teller, even wrote and published a book in 2015 "From the Book of Bill" and he loved to read. Bill was a past Commander of the Willmar Legion Post 167, a past Commander of DAV Chapter 34, Charter member of W.C. Antique Power Collectors, Life member of the Kandiyohi and Chippewa Historical Society, founder of the Willmar Sons of American Legion and a former member of the Masonic Lodge. He was also active in his church serving as a Sunday School teacher for several years.

He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Somerville of Raymond, five children; Donna Arends of Raymond, Robert (and Rachelle) Somerville of Willmar, Jerry (and Carol) Somerville of Raymond, Nancy Hansmeier of Milaca and Kelly (and Lori) Somerville of Raymond. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, besides other relatives and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, 1 sister Martha Gravley, 1 adopted sister Lyla Hippen and 1 infant brother.

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