Willoughby Mercer Jr.

Willoughby Mercer, known affectionately as “Willie” to friends and family, was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a child, he took piano and voice lessons, but soon discovered he had a genuine talent for singing. At the age of twelve, he was given the opportunity to perform with the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Eugene Ormandy.

After attending Voorhees University and South Carolina State College, he served in the U.S. Army for twenty-four years — including three tours in Vietnam. He served with 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Unit, to which Willie dedicates his loyalty and honor. After retiring from military service, Willie went into police work and served as Police Chief at Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood/Golden, Colorado for twenty-plus years.

Willie sang at many church events, college and university commencement ceremonies, including an appearance as a featured soloist for the Easter Sunrise Services at the world-famous Red

Rocks Amphitheater, in Golden Colorado. Willie was also the featured singer for all of the 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Reunions and Events and was especially honored to sing at the grave site of Colonel Trevor Swett (First Commander of the 5th Battalion 7th Cavalry, 1965) in Arlington National Cemetery.

Willie was made a Mason in Denver Colorado in 1999 at Rocky Mountain Lodge 1. After he demitted to South Carolina’s Masonic Order, he became the Worshipful Master of Washington Lodge #340 and the Grand Singer of the Holy Royal Arch Masons of South Carolina.

After the passing of Willie’s beloved aunts and uncles in Greenville, South Carolina, Willie and his wife, Pegi, moved to Grand Junction to be closer to Pegi’s extended family.

Willie passed away peacefully on the morning of October 9, 2026.

He is survived by his son Kyle Mercer, a remarkable man and the spitting image of his father. Willie leaves a host of cousins in Belton, South Carolina, and in Mattapen, Massachusetts as well as Pegi’s son, Michael Picco, in Grand Junction. Michael has made a wonderful life for him after the passing of Pegi, Willie’s love of his heart for forty-one years.