William H. Bernreuter, age 73, born November 8, 1947 at the family home in O'Fallon, passed away at his home, October 5, 2021.

Bill grew up in O'Fallon, Ill., next to the United Church of Christ church on West Adams Street, with his parents and four older sisters and two older brothers. Growing up, he raised pigeons and enjoyed watching owls in the barn behind the house. He even had a crow he taught to speak.

Bill was drafted in 1967 to the Vietnam War where he served two tours. Soon after coming home, he married Vickie Geiger, and they began a family. He worked at Packet Dairy while farming land on the Schwarz farm. It was here where Bill was introduced to sod farming by Sylvester Washington of East St. Louis. Bill continued to work hard and eventually bought land from Bill Magee on Scott Troy Road where he built the house and farm where he lived with Vickie. He began farming full-time and sod became his main crop. He had built Bernreuter Sod Farms into a successful company over the last 30+ years through his hard work and vision. His three sons have worked side-by-side with him through the years making it a true family business. Bill continued to strive for his goals up to his death, growing his company for himself and family over the years by investing in more land and new equipment. He was immensely proud that he purchased nearly 1000 acres of land; he often said his parents would have been so proud.  For the past 20 years, Bill was a fun-loving "Paw Pawʺ to his nine grandchildren, to whom he gave so many fond memories of himself. He spent many hours outside with his grandchildren, hiking, exploring and enjoying nature. Bill knew no strangers -from the people he met at the dog park to all his many customers and friends over the years.

He was preceded in death by his parents George and Hilma, nee Behrens, Bernreuter; and sisters Jean Deutsch and Ruth Smith.

Surviving are his wife Vickie Bernreuter, children Krista (Travis Bahr) Bernreuter of St. Louis, George (Kristen) of Mascoutah, Robert (Monica) of New Baden, and Steven (Angela) of O'Fallon; grandchildren Sam and Leo Bahr, Kendall and Hayden Bernreuter, Tyler, Alexa, and Hannah Bernreuter, and Peyton and Lucas Bernreuter.

Also surviving are siblings Irene (Bob) Jacobs, Ed (Pat) Bernreuter, Mary Batliner, and Joe (Kathy) Bernreuter; and his best friend, farm sidekick, and right-hand dog, Beckett.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.wfh-ofallon.com . Memorial donations are suggested to APA Adoption Center ( apamo.org ), which was where puppy Beckett became a part of the Bernreuter family.

Visitation: The family will receive friends from 3-7 p.m., Sunday, October 10, 2021 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, 102 W. Washington St., O'Fallon, Ill.

A private family funeral is planned on his favorite property, at Hagemann's Farm.