William Lee “Bill” Merman, born July 27, 1933, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2024 in the company of family. The eldest of three sons of Clare Samuel Merman and Frances Ruth Monson, Bill was born in Boulder, Colorado and raised in Denver. Bill attended South High School in Denver where he showed an early interest in science and math. In 1955, he graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Chemical Engineering and joined the United States Navy. After marrying the love of his life, Cynthia “Jo” Howe, the couple moved to California, and Bill began his naval career. He became a Lieutenant JG before his first mission and served as a Navigator on the USS Carter Hall. Upon completion of his military service, Bill joined Monsanto Company, where he worked in various management positions throughout North America, including California, Missouri, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Ontario, Canada. After he retired from Monsanto, Bill served as a consultant to the Huntsman Corporation. Bill and Jo spent their retirement years in Amelia Island, Florida, where Bill played an active role in the Property Owner’s Association and as a volunteer tutor for the Nassau County Boys & Girls Club.

Bill was devoted to his family, and beamed with pride and adoration at the strength and independence of his loving wife Jo and their four daughters. There was no division of labor by gender in Bill’s world. He believed deeply in gender equality and was more than happy to don an apron to do the dishes and let his daughter’s take out the trash and mow the lawn.

Bill was known for his deep commitment to family, his strong work ethic, his integrity and his absolute delight in meeting and getting to know all kinds of people. He believed every individual was filled with possibility. In his career, he was a pioneer in offering employment to the formerly incarcerated and he worked hard to mentor and provide sound counsel to his four daughters, his eight grandchildren, his colleagues and friends and his mentees in Nassau County. Bill was intellectually curious, charming, respectful, kind and also very, very witty. He loved to share jokes with the people he met and even called his grandchildren weekly to share a riddle or a pun.

Throughout his life Bill enjoyed outdoor activities of all kinds, where he was taught by his father to “take nothing but memories,” especially camping and hiking in his native Colorado and adopted California, as well as sailing, tennis and golf. Bill also loved travelling the world with Jo and reveled in meeting new people and learning about new places. Together they planned many fun adventures to share with their children and grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his wife of 69 years, Cynthia Merman and his four daughters Karen Lynne Merman-Smith (Steve), Kristin Merman Schiechl (John), Linda Merman and Lisa Merman (Jeff Joseph). He adored his grandchildren Bailey Sauers (John), William Ryan Merman (Teresa), Kristin Graham (Lynn), Marc Schiechl (Kelsie), Taylor Richard (Erinn), Amanda Schiechl and Jordan and Julia Joseph. He is also survived by his great grandchildren: Braden and Amelia Sauers; Jack and Theodore Merman; Bailey, Thalia and Ayla Graham; Mila and Kira Schiechl and Ardea Richard. Bill leaves behind his younger brothers, Richard (Judy) and Steven (Gail Hoyt) Merman, a niece and three nephews and their families, all of Denver, Colorado.

Family will gather in private to remember Bill. Contributions in his memory can be made to the Boys & Girls Club of Nassau County or the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund.