William “Bill” M. Berge, 85, of Ottawa, IL, formerly of Morrison, IL, died Thursday, December 17, 2020, at the Ottawa Pavilion in Ottawa.
Bill was born October 10, 1935, in Morrison, the son of C. J. “Barnie” and Irma J. (Whiteside) Berge. He graduated from Morrison High School in 1954 and attended the University of Ohio in Akron. He married Delores Bealer in 1957. They were later divorced. Bill owned and operated Barnie’s Super Service in Morrison, until selling the business in 1983 and moving to Ottawa, where he was remarried to Barbara Woods Stern. He continued his career in the auto business working at Rice Tire in Ottawa.
During his years in Morrison, Bill served on the Morrison City Council, the Morrison Fire Department, and was a Board Member of Morrison Country Club. While in Ottawa he served many years on the Utica Fire Department. In his earlier years, Bill raced speedboats throughout the Midwest. He also loved hunting and golfing.
Bill is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Bill C. and Christine Berge of Port Byron, IL; three grandchildren, Amber (Eric) Hamer, Jayson Berge, and Lindsey Berge, all of Port Byron, IL; two step-grandchildren, Robert Stern and Barbara Stern of Arizona.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barbara; daughter, Jeanne Berge; step-son, Craig Stern.
Graveside Services will be held at 2:30 p.m., on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at Grove Hill Cemetery, Morrison, IL.
There will be no Visitation.
Memorials may be made to the Morrison Fire Department or the Utica Fire Department.
Gibson-Bode Funeral Home, Port Byron, IL, is in charge of arrangements.
Share a memory or condolence at www.gibsonbodefh.com.