William "Bill" Sondag
September 22, 2007

William Michael Sondag, son of Theodore and Helena (Peterson) Sondag, was born on August 23, 1921, in Portsmouth, Iowa. He passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 22, 2007, at his home in Bellevue, Nebraska.

He grew up and graduated from high school in Tennant, Iowa. Bill joined the Army Air Corps and served with distinction in both World War II and the Korean War. As a fighter pilot he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with 12 Oak Leaf Clusters in addition to numerous other awards.

On March 14, 1946, Bill was united in holy matrimony to Joyce Smith of Shenandoah, Iowa, at St. Ambrose Cathedral in Des Moines, Iowa.
Bill retired from the Air Force in 1961 and most recently from Malnove Corporation in Omaha.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 61 years, Joyce Smith Sondag, his daughter Nancy Jane and his grandson Vincent Maniscalco. He is survived by his children, Stephen Sondag and wife Wendy of Reston, VA; Deborah Maniscalco and husband Richard of Seattle, WA; Timothy Sondag, Knoxville, IA; Jeffrey Sondag, Bellevue, NE; Rebecca Sondag, Burwell, NE; Kevin Sondag and wife Deb of Chandler, AZ; grandchildren, Jennifer Sondag of New York City, NY; Nicholas Maniscalco of Seattle, WA and Elizabeth Sondag of Herndon, VA; sisters Joyce of Des Moines and Sr. Severina of Campbellsport, WI; many friends and relatives. Memorials in Bill's name are being directed to: Alegent Health Hospice, 7070 Spring St., Omaha, NE 68106.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday, September 26, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shenandoah. Celebrant was Father Vern Smith. Altar server was Ben Fair. Song leader was Fred Strunk and organist was Mary Beth Gowing. Attending the register book was Wendy Sondag and Debe Sondag. Casket bearers were Stephen Sondag, Kevin Sondag, Rebecca Sondag, Tim R. Sondag, Jeff A. Sondag and Jack Smith. Military rites were accorded by the Shenandoah American Legion Post #88. Interment was in the Rose Hill Cemetery. The Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

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