Merlin William Bjerke, Jr.
Merlin William Bjerke, Jr., 78 of Santa Fe passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2024 in Houston, Texas. He was born on January 11, 1946 in Galveston, Texas to Merlin W. Bjerke Sr., and Navaleen.
He was a longtime resident of La Marque, recently from Santa Fe. Merlin served in the United State Army, he was a member of the VFW and Fraternal Order of Eagles. Merlin retired from Coburns Supply.
He is preceded in death by his parents, companion Anne Wilcox, son Merlin William “Billy” Bjerke, III, mother of his son, Linda Hubbell and his brothers; Allen Bjerke, Dennis Bjerke, Rick Bjerke, Thomas Bjerke and Danny Bjerke. Merlin is survived by his daughter Heather O’Brien (Patrick), sons; Rainer Ludwig (Sabine) and Bryan Bjerke, the mother of his daughter, Sue Leski, sisters; Joy Garza, Carmen Harris (Steve) and Yvonne Whittington, brothers; Donald Bjerke (Judy) and Walter “Butch” Bjerke, brother-in-law Willie Garza, daughter-in-law Laurie Tollett, eight grandchildren; Meghan, Kory, Ryan, Abby, Zaley, Maci, Haley and Shane and friends David Connell (Janice).
A visitation will be on Friday, June 14, 2024 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm at the Crowder Funeral Home in La Marque. Funeral Service will be at 10:00am on Saturday, June 15, 2024 at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Galveston Memorial Park Cemetery in Hitchcock, Texas.
Pallbearers will be Rory Strait, Scott Richard, Frank DeLaFuente, Brian Robinson, Allen Bjerke, Shane Pyle, Tim O’Brien and Ryan Camp.
There will be a reception following the burial to celebrate his life at the VFW Post #5400 11230 Highway 6, Santa Fe TX 77150. Food will be provided.
I remember meeting you for the first time. You were kind and welcomed me. My dear friend found a gem. Then Heather was born. A bond like no other. I’m blessed to have known you. Rest easy Jr.
I’ll always remember William’s jolly personality. Always with a smile on his face. He was a good friend to my parents many years ago, and we consider the family part of ours. My heart just broke when I saw the news, because I know how much Heather truly loved her dad. Heather, you’ve grown up to be a wonderful mother, and matured into the daughter that he really needed. The care we provide for our parents at the end of life really says everything about us, and them. My prayers are with you as you go through the coming days. Continue to look forward to the time that those wonderful memories with your dad are added to the treasures of your life, and they’ll always bring a smile. Sending love to you!
William was someone who I called a friend and co-worker. We met when I worked for Thermal Supply. As others said he knew all about the HVAC business He was always willing to teach and help all those who asked him. I was blessed to be around when Sue gave birth to their beautiful daughter Heather. May he rest in the loving arms of our Lord. I know the reunion of his family and friends in heaven was beyond amazing.
Blessings prayers hugs and love Heather Sue and family.
Thank you so much Wendy, I miss him so much. I didn’t know heartbreak until I lost my daddy. He was my world and my hero, I’m not sure how to navigate just yet without him.
who is this guy William. A successful business man in the HVACR industry. He was that. He was obviously more than that though. A family man and friend through and through.
i know him through the company Thermal Supply who we worked for. From the first time meeting him i was at ease with him and his approach to working with others. it was thought provoking and fun at the same time when engaging with William. in short he knew his stuff and what you should know.
its easy to say those were the days where many fine people worked i just had the benefit of working in the same area as William. though time and life have kept us on different paths i still today must say Well done Will.
I was a very close friend of his ex-wife Linda Hubbell and her husband Steve I only saw him a couple of times he was very nice
R.I.P William worked alongside William for many years.