He was born August 13, 1921, in Peoria to William R. and Hilda (Schaffer) Mettam Sr. He married Betty Burling in Peoria on December 4, 1942.
William was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and sister.
Surviving are his children Rebecca Hagen of Peoria and William Michael (Linda) Mettam of Great Falls, MT; four grandchildren, Shane (Sabrina) Mettam of Spokane, WA, Gretchen (John) Petrakis of Peoria, Wendy (Dennis) Thomasson of Peoria, Jennifer (Craig) Reichert of Scottsdale, AZ; eight great-grandchildren, Megan Thomasson, David Thomasson, Robert Petrakis, Michael Petrakis, William Petrakis, Christian Mettam, Kayla Newton, and Samantha Kimble; three great-great grandchildren May Mettam, Mason Newton, and Kali Newton.
During WWII, William was a pilot of a B-24 Liberator. He served in the 15th Army Air Force as a squadron leader with the 456th Bombardment Group based in Italy. He flew 35 bombing missions into Germany, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters.
He was employed as an insurance sales manager with Metropolitan Life Insurance.
Service will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023, at Salem Lutheran Church. Visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m., with funeral services at 10:00 a.m. Pastor Craig Swenson will officiate. Entombment will be in Chapel of Peace Mausoleum at Parkview Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Lutheran Hillside Village (LHV) Foundation Benevolent Fund.
Online tributes and condolences may be made at www.davison-fulton.com.
