Hall of Fame broadcaster Sonny Eliot dies at 91

By Roop Raj
Fox 2 News Reporter

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WJBK) -- Sonny Eliot, a Detroit broadcasting icon and former Channel 2 and WWJ weatherman, passed away early Friday morning at his home in Farmington Hills.  He was 91.

The legendary weatherman started in Detroit in 1947.  Eliot, known as the man who delivered the weather and wit, was also a war veteran as a B-24 bomber pilot.  He was a prisoner of war during World War II.

He spent 60 years at WWJ Radio where friends have been reflecting just two years after he retired, including Marie Osborne.

"He was a real war hero.  I mean, he had been shot down during World War II.  He could speak several languages."

Murray Feldman worked with Eliot at Fox 2 and also at WWJ.  36 years of laughter they shared, even if Sonny himself was the butt of a joke.

"He would do anything to make you laugh.  He would make you the joke.  He would make fun of you.  He would make fun of himself if he had to, and he did many times to make people laugh."

Facebook has also been lighting up with memories of Sonny Eliot.

Sherry Powers wrote, "When I was eight or nine years old, I was at the Detroit Zoo with my school.  We were at the gift shop and I wanted this black bear on a lease.  I only had a dollar and the bear was $8.  Sonny Eliot and Soupy Sales were there watching my tantrum.  Sonny Eliot bought me my bear.  He was the most generous man."

Dex Estes said, "All the best memories of my childhood come rushing back when I remember Sonny.  Through those memories, you will remain immortal.  Rest in peace Sonny."

David Dutcher remarked, "Rest in peace Sonny Eliot.  Your 'Sonnyisms' have been missed since you retired.  Now we will miss them forever."

Eliot was inducted into the Michigan Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2002.

Survivors include his wife, Annette, to whom he was married for more than 50 years. Funeral services will be private.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this report