The Hon. William "Bill" Mertha, 65, Herkimer Village and Herkimer Town Justice and recently retired criminal justice teacher at Herkimer County BOCES entered into eternal rest on Saturday evening, January 27, 2007 in Valley Health Services, Herkimer, following a courageous battle with cancer. At the time of his passing, he had the love and support of his family at his bedside. Bill was born on June 26, 1941 in Batavia, the only child of the late Blanche (Fox) and William L. Mertha. He attended schools in Herkimer and would have graduated with Herkimer High School, class of 1959 but due to a job relocation for his father, the family moved to La Mesa, Ca. He then graduated from Grossmont High School in 1959 and later from Grossmont College. He served with the US Army, special operations, in Southeast Asia. In California, he was employed as a police officer with the San Diego Police Department, taught school at Watterson College and was branch manager at Duber Security, a division of Baker Industries.After being away from the Mohawk Valley for 33 years, Bill returned home to marry his high school sweetheart, Theresa L. (Moretti) Sciarra. They were married on September 14, 1991, a marriage filled with love, laughter and respect for one another. Bill loved teaching at Herkimer County BOCES and took pride in the success of each and every student. He was a communicant of Sts. Anthony and Joseph Church, Herkimer and at one time a member of the parish council. He was a member of the Herkimer Elks Lodge, the Magistrates Association and the NYS Teachers Association. Survivors include his loving wife: Theresa of Herkimer; his mother in law: Philomena Moretti, whom he adored; his step-children and their spouses that Bill considered his own and enjoyed all the times together that they shared: Rob Sciarra and Lisa Ricca of Brielle, NJ, April and Michael Stalteri of Herkimer, and Kimberly and Stan Denis of Albany; three beloved grandchildren: Michael and Savannah Stalteri and Talia Denis; two daughters from a previous marriage, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many dear friends, colleagues, and former students. All are welcome to pay their respects to the family at the Holleran & Enea Family Funeral Home, 220 N. Washington St., Herkimer, on Monday, January 29, 2007 (today) from 4-8 p.m. His funeral will commence at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30 from the chapel of the funeral home where prayer will be offered and at 10 am from Sts. Anthony and Joseph Church, South Main Street, Herkimer, where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Anthony Ligato, pastor. The funeral cortege will be escorted by local police departments. Spring interment will be held in Calvary Cemetery, Herkimer. In lieu of flowers kindly consider memorial offerings to the Hon. William Mertha Scholarship Fund; c/o Partners Trust Bank, 319 North Main Street, Herkimer, NY, 13350, to be given to a student in the criminal justice field or to Valley Health Services, Inc., 690 W. German St., Herkimer. Envelopes will be available at the funeral parlor. Theresa and her family would like to offer their gratitude to all of the friends, neighbors, co-workers, students and relatives who offered countless acts of sympathy during this difficult time. Bill was very proud of all the relationships he formed in both his professional and personal life. He will be truly missed but will live on in all of our hearts. The family cannot say enough about the wonderful care that the staff of Valley Health Services, Herkimer, provided to Bill and the compassion given to his family. Members of the Herkimer Elks Lodge will conduct their service at 8 p.m. on Monday evening at the funeral home. The Magistrates Association will form an honor guard at the church service on Tuesday morning. For directions to the funeral home, click the facilities link above.