William Andrew Merello

Bill Merello passed away peacefully in his sleep in St. Louis, Missouri on February 5, 2026 as the result of a battle with Dementia. Bill was 80 years old. William Andrew Merello was born on January 6, 1946 the second of seven children. Bill attended St. Ann's grade school in the St. Louis suburb of Normandy. He continued on to St. Louis University High School graduating in 1963. Bill's college career took him to St. Louis University where he received a bachelor's degree in Political Science in 1967.

After a brief stint teaching in the Junior High and High School sector, Bill returned to the world of higher education where he attained a Masters of Library Science degree from the University of Missouri. As a result of his studies, Merello then took a job as a librarian at Ferguson Junior High School in 1976. Bill would remain in this position until his retirement circa 2007.

A lifelong soccer player, Merello began his playing days as a grade schooler, continuing on to St. Louis U. High's team where he played for famed coach Ebbie Dunn and briefly in college. Bill further enlisted into the ranks of St. Louis amateur soccer where he suited up for teams, Keeney-Tolley, the Racing Cub and Magees Bombers to name a few. Even after his competitive days were over, Bill would be spotted in five-a-side games twice a week in Shaw Park in Clayton Missouri well into his 50s and 60s.

His passion for soccer led Bill down the coaching path. While in the Ferguson-Florissant school district, Bill served as head coach of both the boys and girls teams at Ferguson Junior High and then at McCluer Senior High School. Though a successful coach's life shant be measured in number of trophies won, Bill did guide the boys McCluer team to a third place finish in the Missouri State Tournament in 1984.

After his retirement, one of his friends and former coaching partners, Mike Black, coaxed Bill back to the sidelines to help guide the boys and girls teams at Mary Institute Country Day School. In 2020, Bill was honored to be part of the coaching staff of the MICDS boys Missouri State soccer champions.

Merello's love of the beautiful game led him on a life of travel. Beginning with a trip to the World Cup in Germany in 1974 that Bill took with his brother Tom and many of his footballing friends, the seed was planted for what would become an annual trip to the United Kingdom. In pursuit of a footballing life, each summer Bill would embark on a tour of England and Scotland attending matches, visiting football stadiums, enrolling in coaching courses and magically sweet talking his way into the training grounds of numerous top flight football clubs. Year after year Bill was welcomed with open arms and doors at clubs like: Queens Park Rangers, Aston Villa, Leeds United, Everton, Crystal Palace, West Ham and most of all his beloved Arsenal.

Bill was so welcome at the Arsenal that not only was he welcome at the practice sessions, but he was often allowed to dine with the players in the commissary. One of Bill's proudest Arsenal memories in his times visiting the Gunners was a time when one of his favorite players, Gael Clichy actually gave him a ride in his car back into London. A further delight to Bill were a series of signed letters from Arsene Wenger thanking him for his annual Christmas card and note for a successful season. Not one just to dwell on the stars at Arsenal, some of his fondest memories involve his yearly visit with Tony Donnelly or Tony the Kit Man as Bill liked to call him. If it wasn't for Tony's kindness to Bill and his willingness to show him the grand tour of the old Highbury Stadium, who knows whom Bill would have wound up supporting. But in the end from Highbury to the Emirates stadium, Bill became a regular match attendee, always gifted a ticket or two when friends were along in Section 31 Row 13.

Bill is survived by four brothers: Eugene "Gino", James, Thomas, Timothy, two sisters: Anne and Mary, and three sisters-in-law: Nancy Merello(Jim), Kathleen Bourgeois (Tom) and Stephanie Merello (Tim). Beloved uncle to Kevin (Rose Merello), Daniel, Claire (Lee Von Allmen), Jessica, Sarah, Justin, Joshua and Roy. Great uncle to Lily, Ruby, Pearl,Olivia, Sky, Kayson, Gracie and Henry.

A celebration of life at a future Spring 2026 date to follow.