William James Mercier Jr., 80, of 9717 EE .25, Rapid River, MI (St. Jacques area) passed away Monday evening at his home surrounded by his children, following a lengthy illness with cancer.
William was born on May 12, 1929 in Nahma, MI to William and Laura (McDonald) Mercier and he was raised in Nahma.

William entered the U.S. Army-Air Corp in 1948. He was stationed at Dow A.F.B. in Bangor, Maine where he met and later married Ruth A. Murchison on August 8, 1951. They lived in numerous military instillations in America and Overseas. William and his family moved to St. Jacques in 1972, after which he received orders for Vietnam. William retired out of K.I. Sawyer A.F.B. on May 31, 1974.

William was a member of the Escanaba D.A.V. and the Rapid River American Legion Post #301. His hobbies included woodworking, hunting, fishing and trapping. In addition to being an avid reader, William enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

William was preceded in death by:
Daughter; Margaret A. Jones in 1979
Son; Francis X. Mercier in 1985
Wife; Ruth in 1991
Father; William Sr. in 1997
Brother; John Mercier in 1999
Mother; Laura in 2001

He is survived by his daughter’s Robin (Julie Robinson) Breen of Fayetteville, N.C., Donna (Paul) Beauchaine of Marquette, Michele J. (Ron M.) Larson of Gladstone, son, William Mercier III of St. Jacques.

Numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Brother; Carl (Estelle) Mercier of Marinette, WI
Sister; Helen Pasik of Taylor, MI

Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday June 22, 2009 at 10:00 AM at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Nahma with Rev. Fr. Brian Gerber and Rev. Fr. Ben Paris officiating. Burial with military rites conducted by Rapid River American Legion Post #301 will follow in the church cemetery in Nahma.