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Updated: Residents Invited to Welcome Home World War II Veteran

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Submitted by admin on Tue, 03/21/2023 - 17:45
Willian 'Sonny' Simon, back right, posing for a family photo; A portrait of Simon years later in uniform.

 MIDDLETON–The William L. "Sonny" Simon Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post #8216 would like to invite the entire community to celebrate the return of Army Pfc. William L. "Sonny" Simon, who was killed in action during World War II. 

     After almost 80 years, Simon's remains will be flown from Offutt Air Force Base (AFB), Nebraska., to Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee on March 24. The time of his arrival has not been released at press time.

     When the convoy escorted by the Middleton Police Department turns onto University Avenue from the Beltline, it will be greeted by vehicles from the Middleton Fire District flying the American flag. 

     The convoy will then turn right onto Park Street and then right onto Hubbard Avenue. Simon's childhood home is located at 7119 Hubbard Ave.

     Residents are encouraged to line these streets to welcome Simon home.

The procession is expected to arrive in Middleton at approximately 8:30 p.m.

     On March 28, Simon's funeral will be held at 11 a.m., here at St. Bernard Parish and will include a military honor guard. The funeral is open to the public, but there will be no visitation before the funeral. (See obituary)

     A livestream of the funeral will be available at www.stbmidd.org/live.

     After the funeral, a procession will be led from the church down Parmenter Street and left on Hubbard Avenue past Simon's childhood home and then to St. Bernard Cemetery, located on Branch Street. To pay their last respects, residents are also encouraged to line these streets after the funeral. 

     A plaque in memory of Sonny was added to the Simon monument at St. Bernard cemetery after his death. He will be buried next to his parents.

     The burial will include the sounding of "Taps" by an Army bugler, a gun salute and a flag display by the Badger Honor Flight.

     In November 1944, Simon was assigned to Company G, 2nd Battalion, 109th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division. His unit was engaged in battle with German forces in the Hürtgen Forest, where he was reported killed in action on Nov. 5.

     The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced earlier this month that Simon was accounted for on Nov. 29, 2022.

This story has been edited to include the time the procession will arrive in Middleton. 

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