William J. "Bill" Merkle

William (Bill) Merkle, age 94 was born February 6, 1930, in Germantown, PA, son of Eleanor (Brogan), and Edward J. Merkle. He was preceded to heaven by his beloved wife, Rita (née DiSpaldo) Merkle and daughter Kim Ford. He was the G.O.A.T., father of Edward (Angela), Donna (Fran), Stacey (Amos) and Maria (Ed). Loving grandfather to Nicole (Josh), Billy (Jennifer), Samantha (Corey), Joshua, Nathan, Jeremy, Grace, Luca, Chase, Nate, Zach and great grandfather to Evelyn Maxine.
Bill graduated North Catholic High School and entered the National Guard. As a young adult, he was encouraged to try out and for the professional baseball team the NY Giants Franchise as a catcher. He worked at INA in Center City Philadelphia, 16th and Arch Streets, where he met his beloved wife, Rita. Bill and Rita married June 11, 1954. They were happily married for 67 years. They raised their five children in Southwest Philadelphia, Elwood Park, moved to Westmont, NJ in 1984, and moved to Sicklerville, NJ, Shenandoah Village development in 1997.
Bill worked as a computer programmer most of his life until he retired. He was an avid golfer, a member of Merchantville Country Club for several years where he shot his first hole in one and over time shot two more. Through his passion for golfing, he won several trophies including Philadelphia Open Senior Championship, Age 50 class, Low Net Winner 1984; White Oaks Men's Association, 2002 Championship, A Flight
Low Gross; Presidents Cup 1988, Merchantville Country Club; Reliance Outing, 1980, Open Division
Low Gross. During his "retirement" years he worked at Pine Hill and Scotland Run golf courses, as a Marshall. He also worked for the Delaware River Port Authority as a toll taker and for Camden County as a crossing guard. With Rita by his side, the two attended bus trips, events at their community clubhouse, dinners and movies with friends and traveled to several states to visit their daughters and their families. Bill was a kind gentleman with a warm smile who is deeply loved and will be missed by all who had the pleasure to know him.
Viewing Monday June 10, 2024,
starting at 9:30-10:45am
Mass 11:00am at
Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish Shrine –
St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Church
135 N. Whitehorse Pike,
Lindenwold, NJ 08021
Funeral Mass 11am. Interment will be private.
Arrangements by Danjolell – Stigale Memorial Home of Aston.
To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of William J. "Bill" Merkle, please visit our Tribute Store.