07/18/2025
In memory of our friend, Bill Meserve.
Bill was a dedicated volunteer; he was a regular at the Benzie Fishing Frenzie, and we surely will miss him.
William J. Meserve
Died June 25, 2025
GLEN LAKE- William James Meserve (Bill, Dad, Dadish, Uncle Bill) died June 25, 2025, from complications of ALS at home on Glen Lake, Michigan, at the age of 80. Bill was born in Kirkland, Washington in 1944 to Jane and Julian Meserve, where his dad was a ship designer. At age 1, with two siblings, Janie and John, the family moved to his mother's parents, Bessy and Bill Brydges', home in Saginaw, Michigan. The family lived there for another 20 years. There were eventually 6 kids, two parents, two grandparents, all visiting the family cottage on Glen Lake during the summers.
Bill graduated from Saginaw High School in 1962 and attained a Bachelor of Science, Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1966. There he met his former wife, Barbara Erkila. They moved to Santa Monica, California where he worked for Douglas Aircraft for six years in the test labs on Skylab and various missile programs. He was a forensic consulting engineer for a few years and then joined a small aerospace company for 25 years, eventually as chief engineer designing aircraft and missile parts. He enjoyed traveling to many parts of the world, explaining his designs to bigger companies and airlines.
Meanwhile Bill helped a little bit raising three children and married Susanne with her two children in 1982. She encouraged him to ski, play bridge, square dance, attend classical music performances and, after retirement, travel the world as a tourist. Bill introduced Susanne to motorcycles, fishing and camping in the Sierra Mountains ("it's warmer if we zip those sleeping bags together"). While they were dating, Bill invited Susanne on a trip to Glen Lake. She accepted and fell in love. with the lake. They lived in Glendora, California for 20 years. Susanne was born in Glendale, CA.
After retirement Bill and Susanne moved from California to Glen Lake and made his family cottage livable year-round. Bill enjoyed volunteering with the Glen Lake Association working on lake water level, invasive aquatic plants, and water quality. He also played a major role with the Empire Area Food Pantry for 20 years. He helped build several houses for Habitat for Humanity. He loved working with the Glen Arbor Players (GAP) doing the sounds. He enjoyed fishing Big Glen with his family and grand kids. Bill and Susanne traveled to many places around the world. For five years, Bill and Susanne with their two dogs pulled a travel trailer to California for the winter staying at Lake Cachuma Recreation Area to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Toward the end as he got weaker Bill still enjoyed designing and playing sound cues for the Glen Arbor Players theater group and technical writing and advising major aircraft modifications through his one-man consulting business. Bill and Susanne were thrilled to be able to keep the cottage in the family, and they lived there since 2003, and hope to pass it down to further generations.
Bill is survived by his wife, Susanne, his siblings, Janie Karel, John (Mary) Meserve, Dorothy (Chuck) Wepking, Berta Meserve, and Cathy (Wayne) Austin, children Bill Meserve, Diana (Mike) Ormiston, and Julie (Ray) Clayton, and Susanne's children Michael Larson and Tricia (Marc) Sven and 8 grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Jane and Julian Meserve, grandparents Bessie and Bill Brydges, Uncle Bill and Aunt Libby Brydges, former wife, Barbara, and grandson Mike Ormiston and great niece Ashley Hansford.
He wishes to thank Doctor Hadley from Paul Oliver in Empire, Munson palliative care, and his visiting therapists and nurse, and the University of Michigan ALS clinic for fighting for a different outcome. He also thanks the many friends from Glen Lake Church and neighbors who offered support. A special thanks to his children and stepchildren who visited from California and Texas during his last six months and of course to Susanne who stepped in as caregiver.
Anyone wishing to make a donations in Bill's name could do so to the Glen Lake Association PO Box 551, Glen Arbor, MI 49636 or The Empire Area Food Pantry (Northwest Food Coalition)
c/o NMCAA 3963 N Three Mile Rd, Traverse City, MI 49686.
Please share condolences and memories with Bill's family at www.martinson.info.
Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.
(Bill is pictured wearing the blue shirt)
