AKRON - C. William "Bill" Merley, 84, of 9608 E. Division Road, Akron, died at 12:45 p.m. Feb. 19, 2011, in Vibra Hospital, Fort Wayne.
He was born Jan. 3, 1927, in Akron, to Dewey S. and Gladys Arter Merley. On May 4, 1947, in Silver Lake, he married Catherine J. Sands, who survives.
He retired after 33 years from Batesville Casket Co., where he was manager of the customer service center in Warsaw. In his earlier years he was an independent truck driver and a lifetime farmer. After Akron High School, he served in World War II in the Merchants Marines. He was a member of the Fulton County Historical Power Association.
Also surviving are four sons, William "Bill" Merley Jr., Indianapolis, and John (and spouse Donita) Merley, Mark (and spouse Sherry) Merley and Brent Merley, all of Akron; a sister, Mary Irene Rager, Akron; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Hartzler Funeral Home, 305 W. Rochester St., Akron, with Pastor Stan Owen officiating. Burial will be in Akron Cemetery.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
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Memorials may be made to The Salvation Army, 501 E. Arthur St., Warsaw, IN 46580.
Condolences may be sent via www.hartzlerfuneralservices.com
