Lehigh Valley Trapshooters League

Information from our President, Bob Koefer.
Hope to see you all!

Looking for a fun shoot? Mark your calendar for this shoot-looks like it will be a great day!

In Memory of Sonya Miller

The Lehigh Valley Trap League has learned of the recent passing of Sonya Miller of Alburtis, Pennsylvania. Sonya was a member of the Alburtis Rod and Gun Club that participated in the Lehigh Valley League from 1980 through 1991.
To suggest that Sonya was an outstanding trapshooter would be a great understatement.
She was a Top Ten member of our League in both 1980 and 1990. She followed Tess Eder as the second female shooter to achieve Top Ten League honors. She won numerous High Lady Trophies in the League during her tenure as well. But it was as an ATA competitor that Sonya most notable victories were recorded. She recorded twenty-five Pennsylvania Ladies State Championships (12 in singles, 2 in doubles, 5 high all around and 6 high over all), during her ATA shooting career.

She registered 96,550 singles targets, 51,100 handicap targets and 28,450 doubles targets in her ATA career. For over twenty ATA seasons, she maintained the AA singles average of >96.25%. Through all of this she was so incredibly humble, you would not have guessed how accomplished her shooting ability had become. Sonya will be remembered for her ability to compete with and outshoot the male shooters of her day. She was inducted into the Pennsylvania State Shotgunning Association’s Hall of Fame in 1994. A display of her many trophies and accomplishments is located at the Pennsylvania State home grounds in Elysburg, PA. The Lehigh Valley Trap League would like to extend condolences to her family, friends and to the many shooters who had the remarkable pleasure of knowing her.

https://www.heintzelmanfh.com/obituary/william-arner

Obituary for William O. Arner at Schnecksville Location William O. Arner, 87, of New Tripoli, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, April 14, 2026, while fishing in North Whitehall Township. He was the husband of the late Shirley M. Longacre Arner. Born in Palmerton, Carbon County, August 26, 1938, William was the son of the late Harry T. and Mildred

A message from our President, Bob Koefer:
Tribute to Bill Arner

Yesterday, I learned the sad news of Bill Arner’s passing. Bill was an “Elder Statesman” of the North End Rod and Gun Club. He had participated in the Lehigh Valley Trapshooter’s League since the late 1960’s. A Navy Veteran, he was one of the most accomplished shooters in our League for over the past sixty years.
Between the years of 1980 and 2013, Bill found himself among the League’s Top Ten Shooters eleven times. He also anchored, as post one leadoff, perhaps the most accomplished and productive squad in our League’s history. His squadmates - Freeman Kline Jr, Gary Wieand, Stanley Borascius, Keith Engler, Bob Bortz (among other North End members) would shoot late each week and often “pull a rabbit out of a hat” by breaking much needed perfect scores to push the North End team to a win or championship due to their success. Bill was the leadoff shooter of two of the three perfect squads recorded in League history.
He will also be remembered as one of the first local trapshooters who embraced Perazzi shotguns as his firearm of choice. A choice that would carry over to his daughter Diane, who is a Pennsylvania State Hall of Fame Member for her historical accomplishments. This year his grandson, Tyler Motzkus achieved his first Top Ten selection completing three generations of the Arner family receiving this coveted Top Ten league LVTL award.
Beside trapshooting, Bill was an accomplished outdoorsman and fishing was another great passion for him. Natured as very quiet individual, (still waters run deep), he was a great source of knowledge and wisdom when it came to shooting, fishing and bluegrass music. He played mandolin with a family bluegrass band and was a great resource for recommending bluegrass acts and musicians to prospective listeners. He often related hilariously funny fishing and shooting stories stemming from his vast sporting experience.
Bill’s impact on North End and the LVTL will forever be remembered. The League would like to extend heartfelt condolences to Diane, Tyler, members of the Arner family, the members of North End Rod and Gun Club and the LVTL family who knew him and treasured his friendship.

It is with great sadness we are writing to share the North End family lost one of our great patriarchs, Mr. Bill Arner. Bill has been around trapshooting for as long as we can remember, with his quiet manner and admirable skills. Bill could stand behind any shooter, watch them shoot a handful of targets, and offer expert advice that if you listened, you improved because he was always incredibly spot on. A quiet man, but his gentle laugh and soft-spoken words were enjoyed by us all. Bill also enjoyed many fishing trips and was an expert fisherman.
Please keep his daughter Diane, grandson Tyler and their family in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for your past military service to our Country and Rest in eternal peace Bill. You will be missed by us all.
No arrangement information is currently available.

Congratulations
2025-2026 LVTL league champions
North End Gun Club!!

Your Top Ten, some not in photo.
Nice night at the LVTL Banquet!