Mount Morris Index (Mount Morris, Illinois) 27 March 1936

Sudden Death Came To Prominent Oregon Man

William P. Fearer, well know Oregon attorney died suddenly last Thursday night, enroute in an automobile from Rockford to his home city.

Apparently in his usual health, he had gone to Rockford with Lester Farrell. Returning home he complained of being exceptionally tired and decided to ride in the rear seat of the car in order to relax and rest, where he visited for a time and then apparently dozed off. When they arrived at his home before midnight it was impossible to arouse him, and a doctor was hastily summoned who pronounced that death had come to him.

Mr. Fearer was born in Pine Creek Township, the son of T. J. and Margaret Fearer on December 12, 1865. He graduated from the Oregon High School and after that from Western College in Toledo, Iowa, where he studied law. He was admitted to be bar in 1896 and shortly afterward began the practice of law in Oregon. In 1920 he formed a partnership in the practice of law with J. C. Seyster, dean of the Ogle County bar and for sixteen years this partnership has existed. Last year, Mr. Fearer's son Gerald W. Fearer, was taken into the law firm as a partner.

On June 11, 1896, Mr. Fearer was united in marriage to Miss Vernie Wilson of Pine Creek, who with the following children survive to mourn the passing of a kind and considerate father and husband, Gerald W., Oregon; Mrs. Rhoda Green, Prophetstown; Mrs. Ruth Roe, Dixon. One sister, Mrs. Blanch Strong of Oregon and four grandchildren also survive. Another sister, Mrs. Jenie Trueblood passed from life some months back.

Funeral services largely attended by sorrowing relatives and friends including many member of the legal profession from various parts of northern Illinois were held from the late home Sunday at 2:30 o’clock.

The services were in charge of Rev. Richard E. Chandler, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of which Mr. Fearer was a member.

Contributed by Jane Edson

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