William Standing Mertz IV, M.D., 45

William Standing Mertz IV,  M.D., 45, of Lancaster, died Wednesday evening, March 14, 2007 at Essa Flory Hospice Center.

Born in Abington, PA, he was the son of William Standing II and Mary Ann Owens Mertz of Malvern, PA.  Bill was the adored husband of Persila  Hooshmand  Vikoren Mertz M.D. They celebrated 18 years of marriage. He was the proud father of Austin William Mertz and Bennett Christian Mertz. He is also survived by a brother, Shannon C., husband of Lisa Mertz; and a sister, Christine, wife of John Howson; two nephews: Jay Howson, and Owen Howson; two nieces: Ksenia Mertz, and Christina Mertz.

Bill was a cum laude graduate of Penn State University.  In 1987, he graduated from the University of  Pittsburgh School of Medicine. He was instrumental in organizing a senior free clinic. He served his internship at Presbyterian University of Pennsylvania Medical Center in Philadelphia, specializing in Internal Medicine.

During the six months he trained as a flight surgeon at the Naval Aerospace Medical Institute in Pensacola, Florida, he successfully soloed in a T-34 jet. His military experience as a flight surgeon included serving his country as Lieutenant Commander during the first Iraq War. He was honorably discharged from the United States Navy on September 20, 1994. 

After Bill completed his anesthesiology residency and pain fellowship at John Hopkins University Hospital, he and his family moved to Lancaster. He was a partner with Anesthesia and Pain Associates of Northern Lancaster County. His career at Ephrata Community Hospital included serving as Chair and Division Chief of the Department of Surgery, Chair of Surgery Quality Assurance Committee, CCU Committee and Medical Executive Committee. Bill was a member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists,  the Pennsylvania Society of Anesthesiology, and the American Medical Association.

Bill was a devoted husband and father. He loved the outdoors and was an active backpacker, skier, sailor and gardener. He will be remembered for his courage and his love for his family and God.

A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2151 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA on Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. The family will greet friends after the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the William S. Mertz IV, M.D. Memorial Fund at Ephrata Community Hospital, 169 Martin Ave., Ephrata, PA 17522; or Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2151 Oregon Pike, Lancaster, PA 17601; or Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604. Arrangement by the Charles F. Snyder Jr. Funeral Home and Chapel, Lititz, PA