Warren - William Joseph Merkel. 86. Passed away Saturday, May 28, 2016 at the Cleveland Clinic. He was born June 28, 1929, in Mt. Washington, Pittsburgh, PA. He served in the Navy from 1946-1950 during the China evacuation of Americans and in the South Pacific. He received the Victory Medal and crossed the equator several times. He married Shirley of Mt. Washington in 1951. In 1956, they moved with their first child to San Diego, CA where he was hired as a tool designer with General Dynamics. He advanced to Project Administrator on the Atlas Missile Space Program. In 1968, he was hired as Systems Manager with Alcan Aluminum and retired from Alcan as Director of North American Information Systems in 1990. He enjoyed tennis for many years. Time with his family while smoking a cigar was his best enjoyment. Bill and Shirley enjoyed traveling to Europe and Hawaii. He was active member of Queen of the Holy Rosary Church where he served on the Finance Committee and was instrumental in the building of the Parish School. Bill is survived by his wife Shirley of 65 years, five children: Linda (Gary) Machin of Warren, William (Carla) Merkel of Aurora, Frank ( Laurie) Merkel of Warren, Rosanne Scarnecchia of Warren, and Eric (Michele) Merkel of Warren, fourteen grandchildren, five great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild, a sister Mary Ellen Peters and a brother Fr. James Merkel both of Clearwater, FL. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother Robert Merkel. Family and friends may call Thursday, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at Queen of the Holy Rosary Church, in Vienna. A Requiem Mass will be Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the Church with Rev. Denis Bouchard F.S.S.P. officiating. Burial will be in All Souls Cemetery in Bazetta. Arrangements are being handled by the Peter Rossi & Son Memorial Chapel 1884 North NE, Warren, Ohio 44483. Family and friends may visit www.peterrossiandsonfh.com to view this obituary, sign the guest book and send condolences to the Merkel family.