Merilyn Louise Willi

She was born in Fresno, CA on October 20, 1919, to Arthur Wendell "Windy" and Elizabeth Dorothy Holmes. Merilyn had two brothers, Delbert Holmes, and Harold Holmes. Merilyn graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1937. She worked at Gottschalk's, The Fresno Bee, Bernice & Katherine Dress Shop, and Cedar Lanes Catering as banquet manager until her retirement in 1991.

She played with the Fresno Rockets, loved bowling at the Paladium, MidState and Cedar Lanes, and golfing at Camp Pendleton. With her husband, they traveled to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Angarwat and cruises to Spain, Italy, Morocco, England and the Caribbean. She was a member of American Legion #509, and Moose Lodge #445.

She was preceded in death by her husband of over 55 years, George E. Willi; John "Johnny" G. Meyer of Fresno; and Lee Fair- burn of Fresno.

Merilyn had three daughters, Donna L. Meyer of Fresno, Jon Darlene Langford and her husband Ron of Benicia, CA, and DeeDee Willi-Gillespie and her husband Rick of Madera, CA. She had five grandchildren, Wendy Caglia and husband Kelly, Frank S. Small, Chadrick Pickens, Jaclyn Claypool, and Jayme Slye. She also had seven great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel on Thursday, April 27, 2017, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m.

A Graveside Service will be held at Belmont Memorial Park on Friday, April 28, 2017, at 10:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 550 W. Alluvial Ave. #106, Fresno, CA 93711.

Arrangements under the direction of Stephens & Bean Funeral Chapel, Fresno, CA.