William "Bill" Mertgen

Florence native, William E. “Bill” Mertgen, died unexpectedly at his home on Sunday evening, August 16, 2020.

Bill was born on March 1, 1944, in Florence, the youngest of Harry and Edith Wear Mertgen’s three children.

On September 26, 1964, at St. John United Church of Christ in Florence, Bill was united in marriage to Waneta Randall, and to this union three children were born.  Waneta preceded him in death July 23, 2019.

Bill went to work at a very young age; being part of a work crew that was often 10 years older than him. For 43 years he was employed with Clarkson Construction in Kansas City, Missouri building roads throughout the metro area in Kansas and Missouri, retiring as supervisor.  His work ethic and his memory were valuable assets and he was often called on by his boss to recall details of the job they were working on.

He was a lifelong member of St. John United Church of Christ in Florence.

He loved being on his farm where he could take in any and all animals that happened to need a home.  If you knew Bill you knew he loved to drive fast, which led to his enjoyment of watching NASCAR and like so many in the area, he was a St. Louis Cardinal fan.

Bill loved living in the Florence community and during all the years he worked in the Kansas City area he never lived in the city.  He and several of the men he worked with would make weekly drives back home to be with their families. During the summer months Bill would take his family with him and they lived in a camper so they could spend time together while the kids were out of school.    Providing for and being with his kids was his greatest priority and in later years he enjoyed retirement and spending time with his family, especially his grandkids.

Survivors include his three children and their spouses, LaVonda and Robert Barnett, LaVern Mertgen and Ernie and Sonya Mertgen all of Florence; five grandchildren, Casey Garber, Brooklyn Wasser and husband Casey, Colt Wheeler and fiancée Nickie Cooper, Madeline Mertgen and Nigel Mertgen and fiancée Haley Dickneite, eight  great grandchildren, Cadon and Rowan Garber, Boden and Calyn Wasser, Jace Wheeler  and Jensen Wheeler who is due in September and Sophia and Emma Jean Smith, along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Bill was also preceded in death by his parents, step-father, Elmer Houchen, a sister, Evelyn Sue Watring and a brother Dwight Mertgen.

The family will receive friends from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Sunday, August 23, at St. John United Church of Christ in Florence.

Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Sunday, August 23, at St. John United Church of Christ in Florence with burial in the St. John UCC Cemetery in Florence.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. John UCC Cemetery.

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