Sonja Croy Bill

Sonja Croy Bill, 72, of Bellflower, Illinois, passed away at 7:53 p.m. Saturday (Jan. 19, 2013) at her residence.

Sonja was born Oct. 14, 1940, to Kenneth and Ethel Mae Croy in Clarinda, Iowa. The family later moved to Springfield, Illinois, where Sonja attended Springfield High School, graduating with the Class of 1958.

She married Gerard M. Bill on Aug. 27, 1972. Surviving are three daughters, Cynthia (Mark) Gevaart, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Cheryl Britz, Springfield; and Natalie Bill, Texas; two sons Fredrick E. Britz Jr., Bellflower, and Jay (Lisa) Bill, Texas; 14 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; two sisters, Connie and Susie; and close friends, Lee and Nancy Bidner, Bellflower.

She was preceded in death by her husband; son, Michael Bill; and brothers, Ronnie and Cecil Croy.

Sonja was the owner-operator of the H&R Block in LeRoy. She owned numerous restaurants: Lion’s Den in Bellflower, Anchor Inn in Anchor and Sonja’s in Gibson City.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Lee and Nancy Bidner for all their love and care toward Sonja over the years and for being such great friends. Sonja was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister and devoted friend who will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday at Calvert-Belangee-Bruce Funeral Home, Farmer City. Her funeral service will follow at 3 p.m., also at the funeral home. The Rev. Louella Pence will officiate. Burial will be in Bellflower Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Bellflower Community Library or the family.