William Merkel

William K. (Bill) Merkel was born in San Antonio, TX and passed away after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's. He is preceded in death by his parents, H.C. Lewis and Benita R. Merkel; brother Marvin and sister Mary Hotmann.

Bill is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jeanine Ward Merkel and his children, Pam Golightly, Paula Guerra, Dana Merkel, and Ted Johnson (wife Caitlin); 7 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and sister Gladys Johnson.

He graduated from Jefferson H.S. in 1944. He was an Eagle Scott and served as a Seabee in WWII. After graduating from UT in 1950, where he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta, he served as a Capt. in the USAF in the Korean War.

Bill had a successful career in the Steel Foundry Industry for over 50 years. Bill retired after 28 years at Atlas Foundry as President of the Int'l Div.

Bill served on the board at Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare in Tacoma, WA as well as the Board at the Kerrville State Hospital. After retiring in Kerrville, he served as an Elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville and a volunteer at CAM.

A celebration of Bill's life will be on Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Kerrville, 800 Jefferson St, Kerrville, TX 78028. (830) 257-3310.

The family request memorials in Bill's name to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation or Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare-www.glmhc.org.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory at www.kerrvillefuneralhometx.com. Select obituaries, select "sign guestbook" at the top right of the individual memorial.


Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kerrville Funeral Home (830)895-5111.

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