William Mercier

Resided in St. Jacques, MI
Died June 15, 2009

William James Mercier Jr., 80, of 9717 EE .25, Rapid River, MI (St. Jacques area) passed away Monday evening at his home surrounded by his children, following a lengthy illness with cancer.William was born on May 12, 1929 in Nahma, MI to William and Laura (McDonald) Mercier and he was raised in Nahma.

William entered the U.S. Army-Air Corp in 1948. He was stationed at Dow A.F.B. in Bangor, Maine where he met and later married Ruth A. Murchison on August 8, 1951. They lived in numerous military instillations in America and Overseas. William and his family moved to St. Jacques in 1972, after which he received orders for Vietnam. William retired out of K.I. Sawyer A.F.B. on May 31, 1974.

William was a member of the Escanaba D.A.V. and the Rapid River American Legion Post #301. His hobbies included woodworking, hunting, fishing and trapping. In addition to being an avid reader, William enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

William was preceded in death by:
Daughter; Margaret A. Jones in 1979
Son; Francis X. Mercier in 1985
Wife; Ruth in 1991
Father; William Sr. in 1997
Brother; John Mercier in 1999
Mother; Laura in 2001

He is survived by his daughter

One Tribute for “William Mercier

    I am so sorry to here about bills passing on, he will definatly be missed i enjoyed going and visiting him and his sence of humor. he always had a great joke to tell me, and his nicknames for me always made me laugh.
    Rachael
    Trenary, MI

    Our parents and families were friends back in Nahma. They surely would like to express their condolences to you.

    From

    Jimmy and Beatrice Moore

    sent by their two surviving children: Peter Moore and Patt Schwartz
    paschwartz @hotmail.com
    Rapid River (Isabella), MI

    Bill was my next door neighbor for almost 10 years. When we moved here I remember the first time I met Bill, he was sitting out side on his porch(which he did often) and while I was outside I saw the cutest black lab ever(aka Pat). Me being only 9 I ran over and asked if I could pet his dog and he told me yes. While I was petting Pat my oldest brother, Bradley, came out and told me to get into the house, I said thank you and left. What I didn’t realize at my young age was Bill was a stranger, so Brad told me not to go over there because he was a stranger. I didn’t listen!=) and it turned out very well for my family and I.

    My Dad and Bill were very close, Bill was always there to help my Dad if he was having a bad day or if he was just plain bored. My Mom would go over and talk; believe it or not Bill never once left her out on one of his jokes. Bradley went over there and apologized for yelling at me because he felt bad because Bill was and always will be a great Man. My sister, Jessika, although shy when it comes to new people went over to Pops house with me to pet Pat. She didn’t talk much at first but she lightened up and came around to talking, then there was Lilttle Robert who would go sit on the porch with Pops and Bill for hours drinking their juice boxes they always had stocked for the neighborhood kids.
    And then there was me, Nikki, as Pops liked to called me. I was his future Bride, well when I turned 76 that is.

    I never thought a dog would bring such joy to mine and my families life, but I’m sure glad it happened. Isn’t it funny how the littlest things in life bring people together.

    To the Mercier Family, I’m very sorry about your loss but know that your friends and Pops friends are there to help with this hard time. Also remember that Pops wouldn’t want you to grieve over him but you remember the times you had with him.

    Loves always,
    Nikole and The Metter Family

    Nikole Metter
    Rapid River, MI

    Dad,

    I am going to miss you for a long time Dad. You have given me to the tools to go forward just as you did with Peg, Frank and Moms death. In the words of a man I will cherish forever. “Donna, I’m going to be OK”

    Donna Beauchaine
    Big Bay, MI

    The Mercier Family:

    We had the fortunate opportunity to meet Bill just this past winter in Gulf Shores, AL. What a wonderful, gentle man. He will be missed by many and our sincere condolences go to you all.

    Ray and Carolyn Nummela
    Negaunee, MI

    To the family of Bill Mercier,

    I was Bill’s English teacher at Bay College in the early 1970s, and, even though many years have passed since then, I have never forgotten him, because he was a very special man. I remember him as being very easygoing and having a wonderful sense of humor. He was a joy to have in class. And he was a great writer, too. One of his papers, entitled “Of an Evening,” I read to my composition classes until my retirement in 1995.

    Incidentally, I also taught Donna and Peggy, so it is fair to say that the whole Mercier family has been special to me (Ask Donna about her reign as the Senf Queen). In any event, I want you to know thagt, like you, I mourn Bill’s passing. There will never be another man like him again.

    Al Howard
    Escanaba, MI

    Billy Jim, you will be missed, alot of good memories we had with you, was bleesed to have you in our lives. Will have alot of good laughs this weekend talking about all the good times Carl,Stell, Mike and I had with you. Love you BillyJim

    Mike & Juanita Lund
    Marinette, WI

    My condolences to the Mercier Family,
    You are all in my prayers.

    Brenda (Kinnart) Randell
    West Allis, WI

    I am so sorry to here about the passing of grandpa… I wish more than anything we could be there with all of you right now…. All the family will be in our thoughts and prayers… Grandpa was a GREAT man and will be missed very much…

    Teresa Irizarry/ and Great grand daughter Teresa Ann Jones
    Bumpusmills , TN

    Sorry to see Bill’s passing. Worked with him at Sawyer, and saw him offen at Sawyer.

    Roy Gabell
    Palmer, MI

    To the Mercier Family—I am sorry for your loss and was sorry to read about William’s passing in the Daily Press. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I miss the old days when we all use to get together. Love to all of you from your cousin.

    Phyllis Steging (Marie’s daughter)
    Citrus Heights, CA

    What a wonderful man. My mom is Bill’s neighbor, Ruth Miller. We got to know Bill through her. We have had some great times at your dads house and will miss his summer get togethers. We were all very fond of him and loved his nick names for the girls – Tin Lizzy and Ash Can. We will all miss him.

    Mark, Tracy, Ashley & Elizabeth Lektzian
    Gladstone, MI

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