William Meierdiercks

William MeierdiercksrnrnBill knew there wasn’t a substitute for hard work. As a boy he saved up his money to buy materials that he used to build a boat. After serving in WWII, he returned home and worked as a machinist at the Navy Yard. His ambition led him to Riverside where he and his brother founded the Riverside Marina. He worked seven days a week, early morning to late in the evening. He built most of the Marina with his own hands. Around the age of 50 he decided that he could occasionally take some time off for leisure. He played even harder than he worked. He took his kids waterskiing (even though he was reluctant to give up his turn), went snow skiing, bowled and roller-skated. Nothing was ever half hearted: when he took up tennis, he built a court in his backyard. Later years found him RVing about the country and spending some time in Florida. Some believed that he missed a life’s calling in comedy; although Alzheimer’s stole his memory, it couldn’t touch his sense of humor.rnHis love of dance paid off handsomely: he met a girl named Ethel. Before her passing in 2001, their marriage was blessed by four daughters: Joy Wilcox (Dennis), Billie Sejda, Lynne Wrigley (Dave) and the late Wendy Palmer, 6 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Special thanks to Comfort Keepers and his caretaker, Joan Barera.rnCome celebrate 91 years of adventure Tuesday 7-9 p.m. at Sweeney Funeral Home, Riverside. Donations to Alzheimer’s Association, 399 Market St., Suite 102, Phila, Pa or Samaritan Hospice, 5 Eves Drive, Suite 300, Marlton, NJ 08053-3101 will be appreciated.rn