It is with great sadness that the family of Bill (William) Merkel announce his passing on January 5th at home with his loving family by his side. He was in his 83rd year. Bill was born on the farm in North Easthope Township on April 29, 1933 to the late Philip Merkel and Anna
Wickenheiser. Beloved husband to Irene of 60 years.
Loving father of Paul (Cathy) and their children Eric, Emily (Cam) and Chloe, Brenda (Michael) Katie and her daughter Sofia, John, Will and Paul, Dan (Cathy) Melissa, Nate (Ashley) and J.T. (Stacey), Rick (Sheila) Sarah (Justin), Corey, Leah (Ben) and Anna, Tony (Pauline) Cole, and Luke, Jeff (Mary) Jacob, (Mandy) Owen and Bryan, Jarrett (Lisa) Allie and Ben, Jason (Judy) Madison, Jesse and Scott.
Dear brother of Margaret Merkel. Also survived by his sisters-in law, Geraldine Merkel,
Georgina Sutherland, Wanda Lewis, Mary Lewis and Rosie (Orval) Feltz and brother in law John Pflance. Bill will be missed greatly by his special cousin Hugo Wickenheisser, and his many other cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers Walter and Arnold and his sister Rose. Predeceased by sisters-in-law Joyce (Harvey) Steckley, Nancy Lewis and Doris Pflance. Brothers-in-law Don Lewis, Winston Lewis, and Douglas Sutherland. Bill was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He was a man with many gifts that were evidenced in his beautiful carpentry work and his magnificently restored 1937 Cadillac LaSalle. Bill’s true passion however, has always been farming and he was combining up until this fall when he saw the last crops taken off. He resided in the Gore of Downie since 1942 then retired to Stratford in 1990. Bill worked hard but also enjoyed life fully throughout his adventurous journeys to Barbados and beyond. Bill leaves behind a legacy of love and a great example of someone that has lived a life of gratitude. Although he’s no longer with us, the gift of the memories we’ve made will live with us forever.
Friends and relatives may call at the W.G. Young Funeral Home, 430 Huron Street, Stratford on Thursday, January 7, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. (Parish Prayers at 6:45 p.m.) The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 96 Huron Street, Stratford on Friday, January 8, at 11:00 a.m. Father Dick Bester will officiate. Interment at Avondale Cemetery. As expressions of sympathy, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Church Restoration Fund or to the St. Vincent de Paul Society through the funeral home. 519.271.7411 www.wgyoungfuneralhome.com
