Wilhelm Burdell Gehring was born on January 28, 1936 in Denison, Iowa, the son of Wilhelm and Leone (Jochims) Gehring. He was baptized on April 9, 1936 and later confirmed his faith on March 18, 1951 at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. He received his education from Denison Community School.

On June 13, 1954, Sonny was united in marriage to Charlene Pries at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. To this union, they were blessed with two children: Tonya and Wilhelm Joseph. They made their home around Denison.

In 1960, Sonny was the first employee hired to work for IBP in Denison at the start of the construction. He also worked at Farmland in Denison and sold Walnut Grove Feed in Crawford County. Sonny farmed for many years until his retirement in 1998.

Sonny was an avid college football fan, especially the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He enjoyed playing cards and always looked forward to drinking coffee with his friends at Burger King. He was a lifelong member of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison.

Sonny passed away peacefully on Monday, November 28, 2022 at Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, attaining the age of 86 years and 10 months. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Wilhelm Joseph "Billy Joe" Gehring; and sister, Maxine Boeck.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Charlene Gehring of Denison; daughter, Tonya (Gehring) Rateau of North, Virginia; grandson, Travis Cipriana and his wife Joan of Spring, Texas; granddaughter, Holly Russell of Richmond, Virginia; and brother-in-law, Gaylord Boeck of Schleswig; other relatives and friends.

A Funeral Service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 2, 2022 at Zion Lutheran Church with a visitation one hour prior to the service from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Interment will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the family.