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Visitation: 6-7:30 p.m. Friday, May 2, 2014 at Frank & Bright Funeral Home
William Richard “Bill” Merrihew, age 61, of Flora, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at Loyola University Hospital in Maywood, Illinois.
Bill was born October 19, 1952 in Flora to Robert “Don” and Marjorie (Akes) Merrihew. He worked in marketing and sales and was a member of Sons of American Legion, VFW, and Moose Lodge. Bill was a “people person” and enjoyed socializing. He loved to laugh and make others laugh by telling jokes and stories. For many years Bill lived in the St. Louis area and was a lifelong Cardinal fan. When he moved back to Flora he drove a bus for C.E.F.S. and thoroughly enjoyed the people he came in contact with. Bill loved his family and was a good friend to many throughout his life.
He is survived by 2 daughters: Emily (husband Josh) Summers of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Emily Goyea of Washington, Missouri; 2 sons: Will Merrihew of St. Charles, Missouri and Matthew Goyea of Spartanburg, South Carolina; 3 brothers: James (wife Phyllis) Phillips of Salem, Gary (wife Brenda) Phillips of Louisville, and Dave Merrihew of Flora; 2 grandchildren: Alexis and Zachary Summers; along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son (Ryan), and a sister (Sue Eskew).
Visitation for Bill Merrihew will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. followed by a sharing of life memories on Friday, May 2, 2014 at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. Memorials may be made to the family.
Jul 21, 1931 - Nov 18, 2024
Nov 15, 1940 - Nov 9, 2024
Sep 5, 1961 - Oct 31, 2024
Nov 14, 1941 - Oct 30, 2024
Nov 28, 1936 - Oct 29, 2024
I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He gave a good fight and he will be missed greatly. Prayers to all the family,
Sorry to hear Bill lost his battle and now he is at peace. He will be missed by many. Prayers going out to the family.
Bill and I are old southenders living much of our younger days on West Washington Street. He as well as I and all the other boys, in the neighborhood, played together and had a great time growing up. My great grandmother was a Merrihew, which made Bill and I cousins. I have a photo of Bill, and I, which was taken many years ago at the Clay County Fair in a photobooth. We both enjoyed many good memories together. My prayers are with you all and may Bill now rest in peace free of pain.
So sorry to hear of Bill's passing, he was a wonderful man and a good friend. He will never be forgot. You all are in out thoughts and prayers. RIP Bill.
Funny how so many of us "southenders" remained friends. I will remember Washington School, Boy Scout campouts, cutting up at lunch in the old high school cafeteria. Always a good laugh at class reunions. And I will remember the strength and grace Bill carried the past few years as he fought his good fight.
It is said you can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family. Every once in a while you have a friend who in your heart becomes your family. That was the relationship the King girls and Bill shared. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten. My deepest condolences to Emily and Will and to the brothers. Comforting hugs and prayers.
Prayers for all who love Bill. Bill's mom Margie was my dad Charles sister but he was always much more of a brother than a cousin. His humor and his huge heart will be greatly missed. The battle is over. You fought a great fight Bill.
Rest in peace Bill , we will miss you, your funny jokes, and your great personality.
I'm so sorry to hear about Bill's passing. He had such a wonderful spirit and a great compassion for others. I'm praying that God will help ease your sorrow!
Bill was a very loving man he will greatly missed
Very sad day to hear this we will miss him.
Emily, Will and Bill's family: Please know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Bill and I have been friends since 3rd grade when he came to Washington School. We last spoke in February when he called me in Florida. We reminisced about our school years, etc. and talked about his Ryan, Emily and Will. We talked about his brothers, his mom and his grandkids. Then we talked about his health. Bill was a fighter and he didn't complain. We always ended our conversations with him saying " I love you Linda King" and my response "I love you Bill Merrihew". I will miss you Bill. I know that today you are in God's loving presence and you are with your precious Ryan. Godspeed my friend. I love you Bill Merrihew.
Bill and I were classmates, and what fun memories we had... especially in Ms. Minafee's class... Bill was always good at making people laugh... On our Senior trip to the Arch ,St.Louis...we hung out together., what a Hoot!! .. I always admired his wit, charm, and his great sense of humor... and he carried that with him up to his latter days... Bill, you will be missed... You are at Peace, no more suffering... May God Bless You and Your Family... Rest in Peace my Friend...
Good Friend, we'll always remember your smile and laughter.
Bill will definitely be missed. My prayers for peace are being said for his family.
I worked with Bill at CIPT. What a great guy. He will be missed very much. Rest in peace Bill.
My thoughts and prayers are with your entire family. Bill was always such a nice man and loved to make people smile. I know he is in heaven now telling jokes to all his friends and loved ones.
I am saddened by the news of Bill's passing and I just pray that God comforts each of you during this season. May you find peace knowing that you one day see Bill again. Cherish the memories and hold each other tight!
He will be missed by so many thinking of everyone in his family.
Our sincere condolences to Bill's family.
I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. He was a great man. Prayers for his family.
Prayers are with you the family. Bill was a good friend in H.S. . I know he will be missed by all who know him!
Gary and Brenda, our sympathy and condolences in the passing of your brother Bill, so sorry.
Thinking of you Dave and your family. So sorry to hear about your loss. Just hold on to those wonderful memories . Always hard to lose one from the south end! Praying for comfort for you and your family !
You fought a long hard Battle Bill ! But now you are no Pain and you are at Peace now ! You will be missed ! :)
We are so sorry to hear of Bills passing. Our prayers are with the family.
So sorry to hear Bill has lost his fight but, I pray his family will take comfort in the fact he is with his Lord in Heaven.
I recall many good times with Bill, his big smile and his laugh. At the past class reunions, Bill would say as we were parting for a few more years, "I love you, Mark." One of life's blessings is that we remember the friends of our youth. We might not see them often yet, they are the one's who remain important in our lives from the beginning. "I love you, Bill." Thanks for remaining important in my life.
I met Bill when I moved to Flora. We were both Juniors in high school. He knew everyone. I knew no one. On day ONE of my Life in Flora, there was Bill. Big smile, bigger laugh, and a warm welcome. I can only imagine the countless others he greeted the same over the years. I'm sure he made each one feel special, wanted and welcome. Many of them greatly needing that. Just as I did. His positive impact on me was beyond what I could express as a 16yr old. I'll tell him next time I see him. Thanks for your friendship Bill. I know your family and endless friends are very proud of you. Terry Youngblood
Enjoy Heaven Bill.......I'm sure it's a brighter place today......more laughter shared. Thank you for your great sense of humor and good times. Will miss you.
Thinking of Bills' loved ones I'm so sorry for your loss. I remember Bill from our many trips to family reunions while all the kids were growing up - he was always so outgoing and with such a huge heart. Charlie - my ex-husband, Margie's brother and Bill's uncle- always thought the world of him. Rest in peace.
So many of us witnessed the brave way that Bill lived this last fight of his life - a man of courage who let the battle open his heart even more deeply to life and to love. I don't think that can be an easy thing to do. Bill experienced and gave so much love and many of us felt it even from a distance. We will miss you, Bill, and I pray for all your loved ones in this difficult time. Your cousin, Terry
I am so sorry for your loss, Bill was a good man and a thoughtful person. I know that he will be missed by many
Bill, I love you so much. I truly believe there is not a person in this world that you met who did not only like you, but just felt better being around you. You were a kind and joy-filled person. I miss you so much already. Wish I could be there to celebrate your life with everyone (and maybe stick a few hot dogs along side you for the trip). Oh my gosh - I can hear the laughter in heaven how - what a joyous reunion all will have welcoming you. But still wish you hadn't gone. Sharon, Gene and Nova
Billy Merrihew... What a guy... So many memories and so much fun, all because of your wonderful smile and great personality. You are forever in our hearts. Billy took Mom on her last dialysis trip. She told Billy "come inside with me, I'm quitting". He told me I wasn't about to tell Evelyn no. Ha We talked often but not enough. My Thoughts and lots of prayers go out to Billy's family. We all know that no one can take Billy's place, but what a time he is having up in heaven. Have fun old friend, and thanks for the memories. Love, Verla P.S. Maybe he's playing his drums like he did at Washington School, just don"t run with those sticks in your hands.
We will miss your smile and the laughter you brought, every day. God speed, Bill
I talked with Bill several times. He was always very nice, friendly and upbeat. I liked him.
I was so sorry to hear of Bill's passing. I knew him as a class mate and then a few years later when we worked together at Borah Motor Sales; he as a hilarious salesman and myself as the lowly clerk who typed the invoices for the cars he sold. I was doubly blessed to know him then. His sense of humor and big heart reminded me so much of my brother Dave who passed away last November. It is my hope that the two of them spend a little time together and cause the angels to laugh so hard they cry. Godspeed Bill.
To The Merrihew Family, So sorry for your loss, I am sure Bill will be missed by everyone. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Thoughts and prayers for family and friends.
Frank & Bright Funeral Home
and Cremation Services
500 North Main Street
Flora, Illinois 62839
Phone : (618) 662-2141
Fax: (618) 662-4600
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