William Sovereign

WILLIAM SOVEREIGN IDAHO FALLS, ID --William Ray Sovereign, 79, passed away on February 16, 2006, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He was born to Thomas and Elsie Sovereign in Naperville, Illinois, on February 11, 1927, the middle child of five children. Bill attended Naper Grade School and graduated from Naperville High School in 1945. He immediately went into the army and was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. After the army he returned home to Naperville and went to North Central College, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree. He married Glada Henneke in 1950 and later moved to Idaho Falls where they raised four children. They were later divorced. On February 29, 1980, he married Marie Miyasaki in the Idaho Falls First Presbyterian Church. Bill worked in his father’s bakery and later on owned his own bakery. Bill began his career with Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois in 1954. In 1960 he transferred to the Argonne National Laboratory-West (ANL-W) site for what was supposed to be a two-year assignment. The two year assignment lasted until he retired on April 30, 1989, from Argonne-West. He spearheaded the effort to build the Experimental Fuels Laboratory at ANL-W. His efforts were rewarded with one of the very first Pacesetter Awards presented by Argonne and followed by one of the very first Argonne National Laboratory Director’s Award. Bill was known for his cheerfulness, compassion, generosity and selflessness. He was nominated for the “8 Who Make a Difference Award” (sponsored by Channel 8 of Idaho Falls). He was recipient of the J. C. Penny Golden Rule Award. In 1990 he joined the University of Idaho’s Master Gardener Program, Bonneville County and soon became the Administrator of the program for over 11 years. In September, 2001, he retired from the Master Gardener`s program at which time he was awarded the title of Master Gardener Emeritus. Bill continued to be a member of the Master Gardener Advisory Board until the time of his death. His hobbies included gardening, woodworking, tinkering, and coffee with friends. Sweet Ol’ Billy as he was known to his friends was always there with a helping hand for one and all. Bill is survived by his wife Marie, his children Carey (Maribee) Sovereign, Linda (Kent) Burgess, Darla (Joe) Buck and John (Christy) Sovereign, and his sister Shirley (Bob) Steck, his 13 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Ray, his mother, Elsie, his sisters, Elaine and Margie and his brother, Ken. Funeral Services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 21, 2006, at the First Presbyterian Church (325 Elm Street) with Reverend Dennis Falasco officiating. The family will meet with friends on Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home (273 N. Ridge). Burial will be in New Sweden Cemetery. Military Rites will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Team. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Bonneville County Extension Office Master Gardener Program, 2925 Rollandet, Idaho Falls, ID 83402 ----------------------------------------------- Condolences sent: Bendy Newcomb (bcnewcomb@cableone.net) I am a Master Gardener in Idaho Falls and Bill was our beloved mentor. He was a kind and gentle man and I am deeply saddened by his passing, I thought such a man will live forever. We'll miss you here on Earth, but Heaven will gain a man whose heart and soul will tend the Garden in Heaven. Our prayers are with him and his family. Bendy and Walt Newcomb Tom and Trishia Peterman (tomp@sjlm.org) To Linda Burgess and the rest of the family: God's gracious comfort and peace surround you at this difficult time. Tom and Trishia