William L. Sovie of Billerica MA, formerly of Lexington MA, died peacefully in his home after a short illness, surrounded by his wife Lanora and his nine children, on March 21, 2009. He was 89. Mr. Sovie, Bill to all of his many friends, was a World War II veteran and a lifelong salesman, a devoted husband and hard working father. Mr. Sovie was born on October 15, 1919 to Frank and Edyth (Ashwood) Sovie and was raised in Ogdensburg NY with five siblings, all of whom predeceased him. He graduated from Ogdensburg High School in 1937 and was a founding member of the Ogdensburg Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in 1942. In February of 1941, Mr. Sovie married Lanora Frances Snow, to whom he was married for 68 years. They were very proud of their offspring�s marriages; eight of their children and nine of their grandchildren have a combined 350 years of marriage. In 1941, Mr. Sovie joined the U.S. Army and served in the Technical Service Command while stationed in South America. He was honorably discharged in 1944 as a 1st Lieutenant. Mr. Sovie started his sales career with Continental Insurance Co. in NY and later owned and operated the Evergreen Insurance Agency in Davis Sq., Somerville MA. In his later years he was a well-respected hearing aid salesman in Brookline and Lexington MA. Mr. Sovie enjoyed bowling, golf, and spending time with his family members numbering 76. On April 6, 1950, he bowled a perfect 300 game at the Potsdam Bowling Center, Potsdam, NY. A 65-year member of The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Mr. Sovie was a Senior Life Member and was elected the Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elk�s Lexington Lodge in 1985. He was a champion cribbage player, winning many tournaments at his lodge. Mr. Sovie is survived by his wife Lanora (Snow) Sovie. He was a devoted father of Charmaine and her husband Myles King of Lexington; William and his wife Virginia of Arlington; Kenneth and his wife Kimberly of Woburn; Rosalyn Sovie of Billerica; John and his wife Linda of Marietta, GA; Dean and his wife Gail of Maynard; Michele and her husband John Chase of Beaufort, SC; Lanora and her husband Paul Medwar of Bedford; and Desiree and her husband Daniel Benoit of Billerica. He is also survived by 27 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Visiting hours Tuesday, March 24, 2009 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. in the Burns Funeral Home, 354 Boston Road (Rt. 3A), Billerica. A Funeral mass will be held in St. Theresa�s Catholic Church, 1 Grace Ave., Billerica, Wednesday, March 25 at 9:00 a.m. Relatives and friends invited. A private burial will follow in Westview Cemetery, Lexington, MA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Lexington Elks Lodge No. 2204 Scholarship Fund, PO Box 176, Lexington MA 02420-0002 or to the VNA of Middlesex - East Visiting Nurse Hospice, 607 North Avenue, Suite 17, Wakefield, MA 01880.