Louis “Sonny” James Betts, Jr. 84, of Morrison, IL, died Thursday, May 19, 2022, at Rock River Hospice Home in Sterling, IL.
Louis was born December 11, 1937, in Morrison, to Louis, Sr. and Inez (Lyon) Betts. He went to Independence Country School for two years before moving to Morrison to attend high school. He was first married to Shirley Jean Zuidema. Then on August 24, 1974, he married Beverly Irene Morehead in Clinton, IA. Louis worked for Shirley’s father at Morrison Auto Body Shop for two years, and then he worked in the body shop at Eddie Schuler Motors for four years. After that he became a self-employed trucker. Louis was an accomplished bowler, starting in 1954 and retiring in 1999. He participated in Morrison’s Monday and Friday night bowling leagues at Hilltop Lanes and served as the league’s Secretary. He was in the 700 club, Travel League and was also inducted into the Mississippi Rock River Bowling Association Hall of Fame in 1994. He had served as Past President and Director of the Association. Louis also enjoyed woodworking and completed the projects for his wife’s craft fairs. He umpired Little League for many years–he even enjoyed calling his own son “out!” He was a whiz with crossword puzzles, enjoyed watching westerns and old TV shows, and, when time allowed, he liked to fish and hunt.
Survivors include his wife, Bev; daughter, Dawn (Tom) Beswick of Morrison; sons, Randy (Sue Boelkins) Betts of Sterling, and Scott (Stacey) Betts of Liberty Township, OH; stepdaughter, Doreen Manning of Galax, VA; stepson, Arthur Morehead of Naples, FL; seven grandchildren, Marcy (James) Shank, Renee (Tony) Garcia, Candace (Jason) Bush, Hannah (Brooke) Zuidema, Alexander Betts, Carson Betts, Embry Betts; six great-grandchildren, Kyle (Drew Littrel) Haan, Demery (Merik Kennedy) Haan, Lucas (JayCee Bentley) Carey, Joseph Shank, Hunter Bush, Landon Bush; step-great-grandchild, Hailey Bush; great-great-grandchildren, Emery Haan and Easton Carey; brother-in-law, John Bollivar; son-in-law, Randy Zuidema; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Louis, Sr., (Sara G. Dykes) Betts and Inez (Larry) Rossow; daughter, Kristal Zuidema; son, Richard Betts; sisters, Mary Covert and Marjorie Bollivar.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 26, 2022, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, with Pastor Daniel Behmlander of Good Shepard Lutheran Church in Rock Falls, IL, officiating.
A Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 25, 2022, at the Morrison Chapel of the Bosma-Renkes Funeral home.
Interment will be in Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison, IL.
A memorial to Rock River Hospice Home has been established.