William A "Bill" Merkel

William A. “Bill” Merkel, age 54, of Evansville, IN, passed away at 11:40 p.m. on Friday, May 25, 2018, at Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis, IN, surrounded by his loving family. 

Bill was born November 21, 1963, in Evansville, IN, to Walter & Betty (Russell) Merkel. Bill graduated from F. J. Reitz High School in 1982. He was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s UCC. He attended U. of E., but left school to pursue his career in the Emergency Medical Service field.  Bill worked as an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, Dispatcher, and Operations Manager for Comaier Ambulance Service from 1985 – 2013.  He was creator and founder of one of the most famed social media sites in Evansville, EvansvilleWatch, in August 2009. 

Bill loved Evansville and was especially fond of monitoring local scanners for traffic and weather.  Bill received the following awards from the community for his social media site, EvansvilleWatch. Voted in 2015 The Best Twitter Account in Evansville by the readers of Evansville Living magazine, 2011 Indiana Social Media Summit Award, and 2012 American Red Cross Heroes Award. Bill enjoyed listening to the Gaither’s Christian Music. Our Batman will continue to watch over our Gotham.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 29 years, Kimberly D. “Kim” (Maier) Merkel, sons, William “Blake” (Brittany) Merkel of New Albany, IN, Jonathon “Brett” Merkel (Carolanne Pierce), of Evansville, and Joshua F. Merkel, of Evansville, IN; grandson, William “Clark” Merkel, of New Albany, IN; brothers, John R. Merkel of Shelbyville, IN, Scott A. Merkel, of Evansville, and Mike (Vicky) Merkel, of Aurora, OH; In-laws, John F. & Martha E. Maier, and In-laws, Sandra Lee & Jerauld R. Sallee; several nieces and nephews; and his treasured dogs, Renn and Copper.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Services will be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at St. Paul’s UCC, 2227 W. Michigan St., Evansville, IN, 47712; with Pastors Bill Wassner and Mary Hurley officiating. Burial will be in Stillwell Cemetery in Posey County.

Friends may visit from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 30, 2018, at St. Paul’s UCC, 2227 W. Michigan St., Evansville, IN, 47712.

BOONE FUNERAL HOME EAST CHAPEL – A Family Tradition Funeral Home, 5330 Washington Avenue are handling all arrangements.

Memorial Contributions may be made to St. Paul’s UCC, 2227 W. Michigan Street, Evansville, IN, 47712 and The Vanderburgh County Humane Society at 400 Millner Industrial Drive, Evansville, IN, 47710.

Condolences may be made to the family online at boonefuneralhome.net

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