William "Bill" H. Mertens, 78, of Kiel, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 1, 2021 at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice surrounded by his family.

Bill was born September 19, 1942, in Kiel to the late Leo and Fay (Olmsted) Mertens.  He graduated from Kiel High School in 1961.  Bill served his country in the United States Navy from 1961 until 1964, on the USS H. W. Gilmore in Charleston, South Carolina.  On September 11, 1971, he married the former Audrey Nisler at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Kiel.

He was employed by Stoelting for 35 years before retiring and was a welding instructor at LTC for 15 years.  Bill was a member of the American Welding Society; he was known to many as the town welder and everyone knew "if the door is open, come on in."  Bill was an active member of New Holstein American Legion Post #124 and was involved with the Boy Scouts for many years, receiving some of their highest honors, including the Bronze Pelican Award, the Silver Beaver Award and the St. George Emblem.  He was also a Scout Master for many years and the Camp Master at Camp Rokilio.

Bill served 20 years on the Kiel Fire Department and held the rank of 1 st Assistant Chief.  He was an avid outdoorsman, spending time camping, and riding on the ATV trails, he was a member of the Kiel Fish and Game Club and a founding member of the Highland Swampers Deer Hunting Club.  In 2019, he participated in the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight with his son Nick by his side making great memories.  Bill looked forward to the time he was able to spend with his family, teaching his grandchildren how to tinker in his shop, fish off the pier and making memories along the way. He took great pride in his landscape around his home.

In addition to his wife, Audrey, survivors include his children, Amy (Scott) Spielmann and Nick (Angie) Mertens; his grandchildren, Robbie, Amaya and Nolan; his sister, Eileen (David) Walsdorf; his brother, Peter (Judy) Mertens and his brother-in-law, Tom Nisler.  He is further survived by aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Aloys and Leona Nisler.

Private services will be held.  Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 5, 2021 at Meiselwitz-Vollstedt Funeral Home (815 6 th Street, Kiel) from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Bill will be laid to rest in Ss.. Peter and Paul Catholic Cemetery, Kiel.

In lieu of flowers a memorial will be established in Bill's name to the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight Organization.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Doctors and staff of the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center, Dr. Deubler for the wonderful care given to Bill over the years.  The staff of Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice and Rocky Knoll Health Center for the care provided for Bill during his recent illness and the Kiel Fire and Ambulance for always being so kind and caring to Bill.