By Staff
Pensacola, Fla.
Mr. William “Bill” S. vanMerkestyn, 91, died Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008, at a Pensacola nursing facility. He was a native of Birmingham, but had resided in Pensacola since 1977, coming from McDavid, Fla. He was a veteran having served in World War II in the Army Air Force where he achieved the rank of captain. He was the first student of Century High School to receive a football scholarship, the oldest member of Century United Methodist Church and was retired from the U.S. Postal Service. He was involved with many community events. He did a radio show where he was known as ‘Bill van the Sports Man' and he wrote a sports column for the Tri-City Ledger.
He is survived by his wife, Sharron Catledge vanMerkestyn of Pensacola; two daughters, Barbara (Herbert) McCurdy of Century, Fla., and Donna (Coy) Register of McDavid; a granddaughter, Erica (J.B.) Nelson of Century; several special friends and family members.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Aug. 23, at 3 p.m. at Century United Methodist Church with the Rev. Janet Lee officiating. Burial followed at Crary Memorial Cemetery at Bluff Springs, Fla., with Flomaton Funeral Home directing.