William Sommerville, Jr.

William (Bill) Harrell Sommerville, Jr. passed away peacefully at home on January 16th, 2023, at the age of eighty-three.

He was born October 18th, 1939, in Selma, Alabama, to Bill and Brookye Sommerville. After graduating from Albert G. Parrish High School, he left for the Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) in 1957 and received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1961.  After working in Selma as an apprentice for a local surveyor and engineer, he would obtain both his professional land surveyor and engineering licenses by 1968. Soon after becoming a professional engineer, he opened his own private practice. In 1974, he would go on to form the company Sommerville, Smith, and Associates with an Auburn engineering classmate.  He also owned a construction company and completed many key projects including housing subdivisions, public infrastructure, sporting venues, and utilities. In 1979 he served as Dallas County Engineer.  In 1981 he returned to private practice until his retirement in 2015.

Bill was a lifelong critic, thrill seeker and he was born to have adventure. He always enjoyed gourmet food at home and a “good restaurant when I can find one.” An accomplished martial artist, he held a black belt in Wing Chun Kung Fu.  He also enjoyed a “love-hate relationship” with golf, all types of racing and motorsports. A surprise late in life hobby of skydiving became a passion after agreeing to accompany Pat as she celebrated a milestone jump.

He is survived by his wife of almost 41 years, Pat; his children Tom Sommerville (Sharon), Lisa Johnson (Bart), William Sommerville, and Cannon Sommerville; his grandchildren Beau Sommerville (Cat), Will Sommerville (Sarah), Cain Sommerville (Janelle), Alex Johnson (Ngoc), Ben Sommerville, Brian Sommerville, Annie Bair (Sofiane), and Sarah Timmons Sommerville; his great-grandchildren Sawyer Dutton, Willie Sommerville, Aylin Bair, and Evie Sommerville.

Funeral services will be Saturday, February 18, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home with the Rev. Amy George officiating. A private burial will take place at New Live Oak Cemetery.