William (Bill) Faber Mershon went home peacefully on November 22, 2024, overlooking the water he loved with his wife of 64 years, Carolyn Blake Mershon, and family by his side. Born in Williamsburg, Virginia, to the late Elizabeth and Faber Mershon, Bill and his family Dottie Mershon Dea (Dave), Bell Jo Mershon Rogers (Art), Kay Mershon Ainsworth (Jerry), and Lee Mershon (Bonnie) moved to Bena, Virginia, when he was young. There, Bill grew up working on the farm and the York River. He graduated from Gloucester High School, where he played football and ran track. After graduating, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and proudly served his country. He married the love of his life, Carolyn, and their son, William Jeffrey Mershon (Connie) was born while stationed in Bermuda. They eventually transferred to Elizabeth City, N.C., where Bill flew up and down the coast during the Cuban Missile Crisis, keeping our homeland safe. Bill left the Coast Guard and moved his family to Williamsburg, where he had his daughter, Sandy Mershon van Leliveld (Teddy). He joined his father and brother in working at Stadium Oil Sales. Bill and Carolyn raised their family and built their lives in the Williamsburg community. Bill became a member of the Williamsburg Host Lions Club and, for 58 years, enjoyed selling brooms and onions, making and selling Brunswick stew, family picnics, and fish fries. He loved the camaraderie of being a part of the Lions Club and loved the fulfillment it gave him in helping others. Bill was also an active member of Williamsburg United Methodist Church. He served as a lead usher for over 30 years and loved greeting members and guests with a friendly smile and genuine hug every Sunday morning to worship. After retiring from Stadium Oil Sales, Bill returned to his roots and love of the water. Bill earned his captain’s license and began running fishing charters on the York River and Chesapeake Bay. He was also part owner of Yorktown Cruises, the Yorktown Lady. Bill loved sharing his passion for the York River with visitors to the area. He especially enjoyed riding out on Sarah’s Creek at sunrise, picking up his passengers in Yorktown, and heading out for a day of fishing. He often said he could not believe he was being paid to simply do what he loved. Bill worked hard and played hard. He and Carolyn enjoyed traveling around the United States in their RV, taking in the country’s beautiful sites. They also enjoyed traveling the inner coastal waterway by boat and an annual trip to Marathon Key in the spring. Bill never met a stranger and enjoyed making friends during his travels. But above all else, Bill’s family time was a priority. He loved nothing more than making memories with his children, grandchildren, William Cody van Leliveld (Melinda) and Carrie van Leliveld Tomes (Chip), and great-grandchildren, Emilee and William van Leliveld. In addition to family gatherings for every holiday, there were annual fall camping trips to the mountains and summer trips to the Outer Banks. Bill passed along his love of water and fishing to the entire family, and some of his favorite memories were of teaching them to drive a boat and fish. In addition to his parents and brother, Bill was preceded in death by his grandson, Kees van Leliveld. Kees’s death was hard on Bill, and near the end of his life, he said he was ready to go see his “Kees Man.” The family finds comfort in the beautiful thought of Kees welcoming his “Pop” and the two fishing in Heaven’s great waters. On Monday, November 25, 2024, from 2-4 p.m., the family received friends at Williamsburg UMC, 500 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, Va. A Sunset Service of Death and Resurrection was held at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, conducted by Pastor Chuck Winner, at Bethlehem UMC, 2101 Mark Pine Road, Hayes, Va. 23072. A sunrise committal was at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, at Rosewell Memorial Garden Cemetery, 3609 Providence Road, Hayes, Va. 23072. The family requests memorial contributions to the Williamsburg Host Lions Club, P.O. Box 753, Williamsburg, Va. 23187, or Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, Va. 23185, or Bethlehem United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 185, Bena, Va. 23018, or the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

Services under the direction of Hogg Funeral Home.