William Clark Merrill

William Clark Merrill, 96, Dakota Dunes, SD passed away on Sunday, October 11, 2020 at Elk Point, SD. Due to COVID 19 Private family memorial services will be at 1:00 p.m. Monday, October 26^th at Meyer Brothers Morningside Chapel. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at a later date.

Bill was born March 5, 1924 in rural Jefferson, SD to William W. and Eldora (Moon) Merrill. He grew up in the rural Jefferson and Stevens SD area. He was proud of his South Dakota heritage and had fond memories of farming with his father and uncles.

On October 29, 1947, Bill and Delores Mae Thompson were united in marriage at Elk Point, SD. They resided in Sioux City. North Sioux City and Dakota Dunes. Bill worked several jobs in the Sioux City area including maintenance at Raskin Packing Plant and Interbake Foods. He retired from Interbake Foods in March of 1991. In April of 1991 he became Mayor of North Sioux City. He also served as a city councilman in North Sioux City. He was a member of Simpco.

He was active in Boy Scout leadership, receiving the Silver Beaver Award. He was also active in the North Sioux Senior Center and was on the board for the Senior Center. Bill was a member and Past Master of the Riverside Masonic Lodge #662 and a member of the Abu Bekr Shrine.

Bill served in the U.S. Army with the 275^th Armored Field Artillery Battalion and was a veteran of World War II. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was very proud of his military service.

Bill made friends wherever he went and always had a story to share.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Delores, Dakota Dunes, SD; three sons Wayne (Rita) Sioux City, Roger (Yvonne) McCook Lake, SD and Dan (Lorie) Salix, IA; two daughters Kerry Welch and Kathy Smith both of Norwood, CO.; 16 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and 4 great, great grandchildren. Brother John (Shirley) Sioux City and a sister Sandy (Roy) Albeck, Holiday Island AR. Brother in law John (Judy) Thompson, two sisters in law Darlene Tague and Kay (Don) Uptagrafft and numerous nephews and nieces.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, a son, William John Merrill; brother and sister in law Don (Eunice) Merrill; two sisters and their spouses Violet and Milton Steeg, Marie and Joe Raley. Two sons-in-law Randy Welch and Fred Smith and one grandson and a brother in law Oliver Gene Tague.