William Sumner III

William Allison Sumner III, 73, of Madison, WI, passed away June 13, 2025, at the VA Hospital after a brief illness.

Bill was born on June 3, 1952, in Stoughton and raised in Evansville. He graduated from Evansville High School in 1970. In 1972 he married Lorene Pickett and then enlisted in the United States Army where he served for three years, primarily stationed in Germany. Bill and Lorene had two children, William IV and Dana.

Following completion of his military service, Bill returned to Madison. After various pursuits he settled into a career with the Veterans Administration from which he retired in 2015 after 37 years of service. Bill married Janet Murphy in 1987 and together they had a daughter, Jessica.

For the past 25-plus years Bill has found community in the Atwood Avenue neighborhood, living in an apartment over the Harmony Bar and Grill. An avid sports fan, he amassed a collection of sports memorabilia, including vintage baseball bats and gloves. The Williamson Street St. Vincent DePaul store has lost one of its best customers.

Bill held a deep appreciation for the English language. He paid homage through countless opinion letters published in state newspapers, writing poetry, and his well-constructed cartoons (Barfly Funnies). Throughout his community, he is perhaps best known for his love of a good debate, dry sense of humor, and mastery of puns.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Will Sumner and Carolyn Achen Sumner and his sister Lucy. He is survived by his children William Sumner IV, Dana (Vinnie) Farnsworth, and Jessi Sumner; two grandchildren, Noah and Allison Graham, and his sisters Margaret Sumner and Libby (Pete) Giacomini, in addition to several cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at the Harmony Bar and Grill, 2201 Atwood Ave. Madison on Sunday, July 13, 2025, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm, beginning with a brief program at 1:00.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be directed to the Wisconsin Veterans Foundation, P.O. Box 1917, Waukesha WI 53187, or a charity of your choosing.

Bill would want us to end with a dry pun and (hopefully) a good laugh: “Rest in Peace, boiling water. You will be mist.”