William Russell Mercer's Obituary
ARTHUR- William Russell 'Bill' Mercer, 72 of Arthur, passed away at 3:34 PM on Friday, December 23, 2011 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital, Mattoon, surrounded by his loving family.
Services to celebrate Bill's life will be held at 10 am Tuesday, December 27, 2011 in the Lovington Church of God, conducted by Pastor Rodney Houser. Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 Monday evening in the church. Interment will be in Keller Cemetery in Lovington with sons of the American Legion Squadron #429 graveside service. Memorials are suggested to the Sons of American Legion, Squadron #429 in Lovington. Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences and memories can be shared with the family at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
Bill was born on September 4, 1939 in Detroit, MI the son of Leonard Russell and Anna Mae (Kinkade) Mercer. He married Velma A. Jones on August 16, 1962 in Lovington. Bill was a retired truck driver. He was a member of the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron #429 in Lovington. Bill enjoyed going camping and playing shuffleboard but most all enjoyed being with his family and many friends.
Surviving are his wife Velma of Arthur, children- Jeff Mercer and his wife Amber of Arthur, Barb Phelps and her husband Kurt of Arthur, Cindy Lee and her husband Nolan of Arthur, Brian Mercer and his wife Jessica of Lovington and Susie Pantier and her husband Rob of Sullivan, sister- Barb Wallace of Arthur, step-sisters- Nokie Newberry of Urbana and Penny Kleiboker of Camargo, grandchildren- Morgan and Lance Mercer, Haley and Britny Phelps, Paityn Rice, Piper Murphy, Jared, Courtney, Lucas and Emma Lee, Samuel Renfro, Eric Mercer and Ryan Pantier.
He was greeted in Heaven by his parents and grandparents.
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