" Bill was a good man to our family, my extended family and many others ..you will be missed .. R.I.P wild bill "
In loving memory of
Merrill R. Williams
February 13, 1933 - December 30, 2019
Merrill R. Williams ("Bill"), 86, a resident of Burlington for 24 years died December 30, 2019 at Iowa Veterans Home, Marshalltown, Iowa as a result of complications from a stroke.
He was born February 13, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Lancaster High School in Lancaster, MO.
Services will be held at a later date and his burial will take place at Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, Iowa.
Merrill was a Korean War Veteran. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1950 in Ottumwa, Iowa and was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal at Fort Hood, Texas in 1953 as a Military Police Supervisor.
Mr. Williams was a former fuel transport driver for Amoco Oil in Chicago for 33 years retiring in 1992. He had the distinction of being one of only 12 drivers nationwide to have completed 26 years of driving without a preventable vehicle accident with the company. A feat he was very proud of. He also drove from Trailways of Burlington for 10 years before fully retiring.
For many years, he managed the Elks Club in Arlington Heights, Illinois and was a member of American Legion, Order of Moose, and Eagles. He was active in many rifle and gun clubs throughout his life. Bill enjoyed hunting in Wyoming, golfing, traveling, and camping. He loved his dogs.
He was preceded in death by his recent wife of 18 years, Jennifer J. (Berhardt) Williams (married in 1998 until her death in 2016) and previous wives Lelia W. (Hunter) Williams (married in 1965 until her death in 1994) and Jean (Flansburg) Williams (married 1952). He was also preceded in death by his father (Merrill Roland Williams of Chicago, IL (1953); mother Dorothy (nee LaFawn) (Day) Parcel of Ottumwa, IA (1995); step-father Harvey (Carl) Parcel of Ottumwa, IA (1999); brother Jack R. Williams of Mediapolis, IA (1996); daughter Linda Jean Cage of Dunnellon, FL (2011); and son Merrill Roland Williams lll of Keokuk, IA (2017).
He is survived by a sister Jody (Ronald) Downing of Ottumwa, IA; step children Tamara (Mark) Day of Carman, IL, Todd (Jeri) Thompson of Winlock, WA and Troy (Maria) Thompson of Burlington, IA; step-sons Thomas E. Sprague of Little Chute, WI, James A. Sprague of West Hollywood, CA, and Gary A. (Lois) Sprague of Woodland Park, CO.; and sons Ronald C. (Angela) Williams of Youngsville, NC and Richard V. (Karen) Williams, Hollywood, FL.
He was a grandfather of 27 and a great grandfather of 31.
Lunning Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.