William J. Merritt

William John Merritt was born July 24, 1929 in Oshawa, Ontario Canada to Cecil Irvine and Hazel Merritt. At the age of 18, he enlisted in the US Army serving in Italy and Austria. Following his honorable discharge in 1955, he decided to make his way in the US, beginning his career at the JL Hudson Company. He and Frances Allevato began their life together on Feb 9, 1957, a marriage of souls that spanned 60 years during which they raised two children (William Jr. and Lisa Marie) and four grandchildren Bill, or Jack as he was affectionately called, worked for Jacobsons Stores Inc for forty years, managing stores in Grosse Pointe, Ann Arbor, Toledo, and finishing his successful career in Indianapolis, Indiana. Fran and Jack retired to the sundrenched beaches of Siesta Key, Florida, before returning three years ago to their beginnings in Michigan. Bill and Fran enjoyed traveling throughout their long marriage, seeing and experiencing different cultures both domestically and in Europe. Bill was a longtime Rotarian and a third generation member of the Free Masons, serving in lodges in Grosse Pointe, Ann Arbor, Toledo, Indianapolis, and Sarasota; he was also an honorary member of the lodge in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada following was his father and grandfather. His commitment to community service and the mission of the Free Masons was an instrument Bill used to share his strong faith in Jesus Christ, using the talents the Lord had provided to him. That faith sustained him throughout his life. William John Sr. was predeceased by his wife, Frances Marie (Allevato) and parents Cecil Irvine and Hazel. He was the proud father of William Jr. ( Jenny Lynn) and Lisa Marie Saneda (Steven). William loved his four grandchildren; Victoria, Alexandria, Matthew and Benjamin and his sister Irveen Powley(David), who survive him as do many nieces and nephews. Funeral services for William will take place on Saturday August 19, 2017 at 10:00 at the A. H Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave. Grosse Pointe Woods, MI 48236. Visitation will be on Friday Aug 18 from 5-8 also at A.H.Peters Funeral Home, Grosse Pointe Woods. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers memorial contributions be made to Martin Road Gospel Chapel, 20505 Martin Road, St Claire Shores, MI 48081

Visitation:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe Woods

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236