William Merrill

1943 - 2020

Merrill, William "Bill" E.
William Ernest Merrill, born: Springfield, Illinois, August 1, 1943; Died: Port St. Lucie, Florida, November 21, 2020. William "Bill" Merrill died peacefully at home surrounded by loved ones. Bill was the son of William and Luella Merrill.
Bill is survived by daughters Melinda S. Formica (Robert) of Cheshire, CT, Jennifer K. McFarland (Peter) of Cape Elizabeth, ME, Michelle L. Delmonico (Tyrone) of Cary, NC, seven grandchildren Victoria, Maxwell, Camryn, Abigail, Sydney, Aliana, Nicholas, and two sisters, Charlene Powell (Elmer) of Springfield, IL, Diane Wingert (Robert) of Naples, FL.
Bill was a 1961 Graduate of Feitshans High School, and a 1965 graduate of Southern Illinois University where he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education and his Master of Science degree in Health and Safety Science in 1969.
Athletics were an integral part of Bill's life. His talents on the baseball field led to a full scholarship to Southern Illinois University where he played for Coach Glenn "Abe" Martin for four years, and received 13 different offers from major league teams. Bill remained an athlete even after his playing days were done, using the lessons and skills learned on the field in every facet of his life.
After college Bill became the baseball coach at Castleton State University in Vermont and later on at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. After a successful coaching career Bill remained at Quinnipiac where he was the Assistant Athletic Director for Intramurals where he continued to work with students and instill in them his love of athletics until his retirement in 2002.
Away from the athletic fields Bill's passion was centered around the ocean. He learned to boat on Springfield Lake as a child and eventually became an avid sailor who was a longtime member and former Commodore at Indian Neck Yacht Club in Branford Connecticut. Bill enjoyed cruising on Long Island Sound and living on his sailboat during summers on Block Island, RI and then his American Tug power boat in the Abacos, Bahamas during his retirement years.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to American Lyme Disease Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 466, Lyme, CT 06371, www.aldf.com
Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.AllCounty.com