William "Bill" Merryman Sr.

William (Bill) Merryman Sr passed from this world into heaven on March 7, 2010, at his home in Rogue River. He was born November 17, 1945 in Medford, MA to Walter and Florence Merryman. He served in the US Navy from 1964-1968 as a Helicopter Repairman and a Special Duty Rescue Crewman. He was stationed in Pensacola, FL.

In 1969, Bill moved to Anaheim, CA where he met his future bride, Charlene Pursell. They were married May 16, 1970. I n 1977, they packed up their first two children and moved to Rogue River, OR to fulfill his dream of raising his family in the country surrounded by trees and nature.

Bill spent most of his working years doing welding and pipe fitting at various construction sites. He also spent three years as a Courier. He had a great passion for golf and played it every chance he could get until health reasons caused him to stop. During his life he enjoyed family gatherings, riding his Maico dirt bike in the CA desert and the beaches of Baja with his family, brother Al, niece Teri and nephew Buddy. He also loved watching his children’s sports games, camping and boating trips at Lost Creek Lake, family trips to the beach, playing pool, spending time with grandchildren, endlessly teasing his kids and friends, watching old time westerns on TV, and gathering with friends at a local pub to watch sports and cheer on his favorite teams, the S.F. 49rs, the Oregon Ducks, and the Boston Celtics.

He often said his greatest moments were being at the birth of each of his children and at their High School graduations. Another special memory was an Anniversary trip to Maui with his wife presented to them by their four children. He was a dreamer who loved to play the lottery and dream of some day buying homes for himself and each of his children and their families on that very beach in Maui.

Bill is survived by his wife of almost 40 years, Charlene; his son Bill Jr. of Rogue River, Oregon; son Daniel and wife Natalya of Vancouver, Washington; son Paul and wife Jessica of Allen, TX; daughter Kristin Harrington and husband Joshua of Rogue River; grandchildren Elizabeth and Nik of Vancouver and Connor and Ian of Rogue River; his sister Jean Fairbanks of Groveland, MA; brother Clint Merriman of Manchester, NH as well as several nieces and nephews in MA, NH and CA.that were very dear to him. He was preceded in death by his brother Allan, his mom Florence, and his father Walter.

There will be a memorial service in celebration of Bill’s life at the Rogue River VFW Hall on March 19, 2010 at 1:00 pm. Friends and family are invited.
Internment will be at Eagle Point National Cemetery.