Son of William Julius and Johanna Eva nee Kottre Sartorius, was born April 14, 1931, in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Bill was the eldest of 5 children. On August 23, 1931, he was baptized at St. John’s Evangelical Independent Church, Berlin, Wisconsin. Around 1937, the family moved to St. Louis. On June 3, 1945, he was confirmed at St. Stephen’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Louis, Missouri. After attending Soldan High School, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp where he served from 1950-1954 during the Korean Conflict.
Upon honorable discharge, he returned to civilian life, and in May 1955 became a police officer with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. During his time with the police department, he was a patrol officer in the 1st and 9th districts. He also worked in the Internal Affairs department and in the Watchman’s Division. At the time of his retirement in May 1995, he was serving as the Director of the Private Security department.
On May 13, 1967, he married Frances Lucille DeBouny with whom he was privileged to enjoy 39 years in the nuptial estate, until her passing on July 10, 2006. He is survived by 2 daughters: Susan (Robert) Nichols and Karen Sartorius, granddaughter Marina Nichols, brothers Victor Sartorius and Eugene Sartorius, sister-in-law Takako Sartorius, niece Kim (Tony) Regensburger and nephew Robert (Makiko) Sartorius. He was preceded in death by brother John Sartorius, sister Anna Carter, brother-in-law Junior Carter, sister-in-law Gina Sartorius and many other family and friends.
On November 19, 2006, Bill became a communicant member at Peace Lutheran Church, where his membership has since remained. Bill enjoyed relatively good health until the advances of age weakened his condition. On Friday, January 21, he was admitted to Mercy South Medical Center where he remained until Thursday, January 27. He was transferred to the de Greeff Hospice House where he remained until his peaceful passing on January 30, 2022. He attained the age of 90 years, 9 months, 16 days.
Services; Visitation at Kutis Funeral Home, (5255 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63129) Sunday, February 6, 4-8PM. Then to Peace Lutheran Church, 737 Barracksview Road, St. Louis, MO 63125 on Monday, February 7, for visitation from 9 until service at 9:30. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Backstoppers, Inc (backstoppers.org) or to the Mercy Hospice South – de Greeff Hospice House. Interment JB National Cemetery.