Wednesday, April 21, 2021 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
11
Obituaries
William Boland Merrill III
John Anthony Pagano
April 22, 1937 — February 6, 2021
July 22, 1952 — April 13, 2021
William <Bill= Merrill
was born in Philadelphia to
William and Mary Merrill.
His father was an Air Force
officer, so Bill and his
family moved frequently
around the country 3 and the
world 3 living in Louisiana,
Florida, French Morocco,
and Wiesbaden, Germany,
where Bill graduated from
high school.
Friends talked Bill into
attending Oregon State
College. Bill pledged Delta
Tau Delta fraternity, and par-
ticipated on the crew team
and ROTC. After graduating
in 1959, he was commis-
sioned as an officer in the
US Army.
While stationed at Ft.
Lewis, he met Jacqueline
Phillips, a nurse, on a blind
date. That successful first
date led to a 55-year mar-
riage. Bill and Jacque soon
welcomed son, Bill, and
daughter, Kelli, to the fam-
ily. Meanwhile, Bill served
as a Green Beret in Vietnam.
After returning to the states,
the family moved numerous
times as Bill rose through the
ranks, including assignments
in Hawaii, Alabama, Kansas,
Germany, and Washington,
D.C. The family had many
adventures camping, hik-
ing, and skiing through-
out Europe and the U.S.
After 29 years of service,
Bill retired as a Colonel.
He and Jacque moved to
Oregon, living in Sunriver
and Bend before settling in
Sisters. Bill became an avid
fly-fisherman, learning to
make his own rods and tie
flies. The Deschutes and
Metolius rivers became sec-
ond homes. Bill also served
on the Sisters City Council,
helping provide direction for
the City9s growth.
Bill was proud of his ser-
vice to his country and local
community; he felt it was
important to be involved.
Bill was also proud of his
children (both followed in
his footsteps to OSU, and
Kelli served in the Army),
and especially fond of his
grandkids: Ben, Griff, Abby,
Aaron and Nick. Bill9s leg-
acy is instilling in his kids
and grandkids a love of
travel, the outdoors, and ser-
vice to others.
Bill was preceded in
death by his wife, Jacque.
He is survived by his chil-
dren, Bill (and Gigi) Merrill
of Salem, and Kelli (and
Ben) Baker of the United
Arab Emirates; his grand-
children Ben (and Joju),
Griffin (and Becca), Abigail
(and Matthew), Aaron (and
Delaney), and Nicholas;
and his brother, Hank (and
Marilyn), and sister Mary Jo
(and Rusty) Shenk.
Due to COVID-19, a
memorial service will be
held later this year. In the
meantime, please celebrate
Bill9s long and eventful life
by hiking in the woods, fish-
ing in a stream, or sharing
stories in his memory.
John was born July
22, 1952 in Portland, to
Anthony and Frances
Pagano, and died on April
13, 2021.
John attended Milwaukie
High School and, after high
school, joined the National
Guard from 1971-1976,
where he found his niche
in working with electron-
ics and computers. John
married Madeline (Pinky)
DiFabio on May 11, 1974,
while living in Portland.
Ten years later, John had
the opportunity to move his
family to Sisters, where he
and Pinky raised their fam-
ily over the next 30 years.
During that time, John
started his own business,
Computer Cleaning and
Helitronics Landing Lights
for emergency vehicles.
While in Sisters, John
engulfed himself in the ser-
vice of his family and his
community. He was a vol-
unteer EMT 1 for the Sisters
Fire Department for over
20 years. During that time
you could see him roaming
the sidelines of Sisters High
School Football games or
organizing the department9s
Toys for Tots program in
his spare time. John had
two hobbies that he enjoyed
most; working on electron-
ics and using his HAMM
Radio. His home office was
scattered with tools and
electronics where he was
constantly <futzin= around
making blinking lights or
Obituaries Policy: The Nugget Newspaper does not charge a fee to publish obituaries. Obituaries may be up to
400 words and include one photo. Obituaries outside these guidelines are handled by The Nugget Newspaper
advertising department. Obituary submissions must be received by noon on Monday. Obituaries may be
submitted to The Nugget by email or hand delivery to our office located at 442 E. Main Ave., Sisters.
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Always attached to John9s
hip was his prized posses-
sion, his HAMM Radio.
Licensed as N7RGF, John
was always on his radio,
talking to friends around the
state.
Later in life, John was
diagnosed with Primary
Progressive Multiple
Sclerosis, which slowly
took away his ability to
enjoy his hobbies in retire-
ment. However, surrounded
by family, he could be seen
scootering to soccer, flag
football, school plays, bike
races, and the occasional
road trip to Camp Sherman
or Three Creek Lake.
John is survived by an
extensive Italian family
in the Portland area. John
and Pinky are most proud
of their children and their
extended families, which are
spread across the state. Gabe
and Heather Pagano, with
grandchildren Maya, Max,
and Dominic. Megan and
Edward (Tank) Duckworth,
with Bailey, Amari, and Khi.
Finally, James and Krista
Hayes, with Jaxon, Maddie,
and another one on the way.
John is also survived by
his two younger brothers
and their families; Ken and
Marian Pagano and Dan and
Tammy Pagano.
John, Dad, Maddog,
Uncle Johnny, or Pappa 4
you will always be #1.
A mass will be held at St.
Thomas Catholic Church in
Redmond, on April 24. The
rosary will begin at 10:30
a.m., followed by a service
at 11 a.m. Cookies, coffee,
and drinks to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please
donate to the Oregon
Chapter for Multiple
Sclerosis at www.national
mssociety.org/Chapters/
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