Willis R. Meyer, 91, a resident of Elk Haven Nursing Home and formerly of Clark Road, St. Marys, passed away Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at Elk Haven, after a lengthy illness.
He was born July 5, 1925, in St. Marys, son of the late William and Eva Haines Meyer. He was a lifelong resident of the area and was a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1943. Willie served as a medic in WWII (August 1943-March 1946). He was stationed in Fort Bliss Texas, Camp Hann, California, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Kansas and Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii.
After working at Stackpole Carbon Company for a year and at Corbett Cabinet Company from 1947-1960, he and three colleagues founded Suburban Building Center in 1960. Willie served as co-owner, Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and General Manager.
A man of deep and abiding faith, Willie was seldom found without a rosary in his hand, and never wavered in his belief in the power of prayer. Willie was an active member of the Queen of the World Church, where he also served on the Parish Council.
He embraced life fully. An avid bicyclist, gardener, and photographer, he loved music, dancing, and following the stock market. He enjoyed beach vacations with his family and trips to casinos with Esther. He loved opening his home to family and friends who gathered there for holidays, reunions, weddings and birthdays. He hosted from behind the bar, mixing drinks, smiling and engaging everyone in conversation.
On May 7, 1949, in the Sacred Heart Church, Willie married Esther A. Roth, who preceded him in death on June 23, 2008. Together they had six children, Cindy Sabik and her husband Mark of Worcester, MA, Bill Meyer and his fiancée Vicki Loebsack of Cleveland, OH, Jane Meyer of St. Marys who spent the last several years residing at Elk Haven with him where she helped oversee his care, Jeff Meyer and his wife Tina of St. Marys, Joel Meyer and his wife Jennifer of St. Marys, and Lori Renwick and her husband Joe of St. Marys. Also surviving are 17 grandchildren, Lindsay Sabik, Natalie Sabik, Olivia Sabik, Noelle Meyer, Gabrielle Meyer, Michelle Meyer, Adam Meyer, Abby Meyer, Drew Meyer, Jacob Meyer, Jodi Meyer, Jonah Meyer, Alyssa Wendel, Josh Renwick, Alex Renwick, Jolene Renwick, and Alayna Renwick; and by five great grandchildren.
In addition to his wife and parents, Willie was preceded in death by a daughter, Mary Meyer in infancy; two sisters, Ethel Meyer and (Norma) Jean Reider; and by a brother, Hilary Meyer. He was the last member of his immediate family.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Queen of the World Church on Friday, June 23, 2017, at 12:00 PM, with the Rev. Jeff Noble, Pastor, officiating. Full military rites will be accorded by the St. Mary’s Servicemen’s Burial Detail. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Visitation is at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Thursday, June 22, 2017, from 5:00 until 8:00 PM.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Queen of the World Church, 134 Queens Road, St. Marys, PA 15857 or to the Elk County Catholic School System, Advancement Office, 600 Maurus Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.