William Alvin Kummer

William A. Kummer Ni’taii Kamotaa (Lone Survivor) November 12, 1923 – June 6, 2017 William A. (Bill) Kummer passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 6, 2017. He leaves his wife of 69 years, Jeanne; daughters Rhonda Miller (Tom); Teri Swanner (Bob); son, James Kummer (Stephanie); grandchildren Gavin Stegmiller (Teri), Kaitlin Miller (Ben Wagner), Mary Erin Carr (Chris), Ryan Miller (Jessica Birringer), Sean Miller, Curtis Miller (Courtney), Ronny Swanner, Grayson Swanner, Alex Kummer (Jill Weglarz) and Austin Kummer (Sarah Murray); great-grandchildren Liam Stegmiller, Nate Wagner, Sasha Wagner, Isabelle Miller, Sage Miller and Madilynn Miller; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Bill was born on the family farm in Sand Coulee, MT on November 12, 1923 to Jacob Samuel Kummer and Mary Josephine (Provost) Kummer. He was the youngest of seven children and is predeceased by his parents and siblings. Bill moved with his family to Longview, Washington in 1924, the town where he grew up and always considered “home”. Bill met his best and life-long friend, Eddie Brusco, while in the third grade, and their special friendship lives on in Eddie and Eddie’s wife, Stella. Bill was drafted into the United States Army during WWII. He fought in Northern Italy, as allied forces moved to overtake the German stronghold along the “Gothic Line”. Bill was seriously wounded and taken prisoner of war October 13, 1944. He survived for 6 ½ months as a POW in Stalag VIIA in Moosburg, Germany, and was liberated April 29, 1945. Bill was awarded 2 Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, 3 Presidential Unit Citations and the Croix de guerre, among many other awards for his heroism and sacrifice. After returning home, Bill met Jeanne Watkins in Long Beach, WA, where they married on June 4, 1948. They raised their three children in Longview, and then in Portland, OR. Bill was a loving husband and father. His genuine love for people made him a father figure, mentor and powerful role model to countless nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Bill was an exceptional salesman and owned several businesses during his lifetime. His greatest achievement, however, was his family. He encouraged and supported them in all of their endeavors. His family was a constant source of enjoyment and pride. He will be missed beyond measure, but has left an imprint in all of our hearts. Funeral services are Tuesday, June 13, 2017 at 10:30am at Sunnyside Little Chapel of the Chimes. Private internment with military honors follows at Willamette National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Homefront Cares 1120 N. Circle Ste. 7 Colorado Springs, CO 80909 Service Information