1921
Bill
2008
Bill Willard Peterson
June 27, 1921 — April 13, 2008
Bill (L. Willard) Peterson was born January 27, 1921, and died on April 13, 2008, in his home.
Bill is survived by a family who loved him, including his wife of 57 years, Evelyn Peterson; children and spouses, Richard and JoAnnette of Mandeville, La., Cristine and Charles Roberts of Overland Park, Ronald and Karin of St. Louis, and Jon Randall and Laura of Lee's Summit. He also leaves 13 grandchildren, Julie, Ricky, Leslie, Whitney, Bailey, Eric, David, Caroline, Meg, Ben, Mark, Anne and Jerod; and two great-grandchildren, Anthony and Andrew.
Bill was born in Monmouth, Ill., to Lester and Lily Peterson. He remembered his youth with great fondness, and spoke of his sisters, Dorothy and Trudy, with pride and affection. Some of his favorite childhood memories were of playing baseball with his father on their family farm. Bill attended Brown's Business College of Galesburg, Ill., and then served in General MacArthur's office during WWII as they advanced from the Philippines to Tokyo. After the military, Bill studied civil engineering at the University of Iowa where he also met his wife, Evelyn. Bill was a resident and project engineer for Black & Veatch Consulting Engineers for 39 years.
Bill's greatest commitment was to his church of 45 years, Atonement Lutheran, where he was a charter member. He served as president of the Church Council, sang in the choir for over 40 years, and helped oversee the construction of the education building. Bill was a proud member of the Overland Park Rotary. He received the honorary Lamb Award and the Award of Merit from the Boy Scouts, whom he served for many years. He was also on the Board of Directors for Brown & Gold Club at Johnson County Community College. He was a loving and faithful husband and father, a role model to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 16, at 11 a.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66212. Burial in Johnson County Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park. Visitation will be the evening prior from 7 to 9 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church. Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Atonement Lutheran Church, (choir, Boy Scouts, handicap access or Atonement's sister congregation - St. Katherine's Lutheran Church in Russia) or Parkinson's Foundation
Bill is survived by a family who loved him, including his wife of 57 years, Evelyn Peterson; children and spouses, Richard and JoAnnette of Mandeville, La., Cristine and Charles Roberts of Overland Park, Ronald and Karin of St. Louis, and Jon Randall and Laura of Lee's Summit. He also leaves 13 grandchildren, Julie, Ricky, Leslie, Whitney, Bailey, Eric, David, Caroline, Meg, Ben, Mark, Anne and Jerod; and two great-grandchildren, Anthony and Andrew.
Bill was born in Monmouth, Ill., to Lester and Lily Peterson. He remembered his youth with great fondness, and spoke of his sisters, Dorothy and Trudy, with pride and affection. Some of his favorite childhood memories were of playing baseball with his father on their family farm. Bill attended Brown's Business College of Galesburg, Ill., and then served in General MacArthur's office during WWII as they advanced from the Philippines to Tokyo. After the military, Bill studied civil engineering at the University of Iowa where he also met his wife, Evelyn. Bill was a resident and project engineer for Black & Veatch Consulting Engineers for 39 years.
Bill's greatest commitment was to his church of 45 years, Atonement Lutheran, where he was a charter member. He served as president of the Church Council, sang in the choir for over 40 years, and helped oversee the construction of the education building. Bill was a proud member of the Overland Park Rotary. He received the honorary Lamb Award and the Award of Merit from the Boy Scouts, whom he served for many years. He was also on the Board of Directors for Brown & Gold Club at Johnson County Community College. He was a loving and faithful husband and father, a role model to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, April 16, at 11 a.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf, Overland Park, KS 66212. Burial in Johnson County Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf, Overland Park. Visitation will be the evening prior from 7 to 9 p.m. at Atonement Lutheran Church. Donations can be made in lieu of flowers to Atonement Lutheran Church, (choir, Boy Scouts, handicap access or Atonement's sister congregation - St. Katherine's Lutheran Church in Russia) or Parkinson's Foundation
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