William J. Bergen III
William Joseph Bergen III, passed away on Monday Sept. 24, 2018, in Solon, Ohio in the peace of his home and in the comfort of his family and friends. His proudest accomplishment was the happiness and success of his children Bill, Ann and Ned. His greatest joy was his grandchildren Sean, Ryan, Katie and Kyle, and he was their biggest fan. Everyone who met Bill over the 51 years he lived in Solon started as a stranger but left as a friend. Bill made everyday small moments big and always had a smile and helping hand to give to everyone. Bill was born on March 10, 1935, son of Rose and William Bergen Jr. and brother to Marguerite Bergen, Virginia Bergen and Patricia Cunningham.
Bill’s life was epitomized by the sign hanging by his back door: “”Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “”Wow, what a ride!”” – Hunter S. Thompson.
Funeral mass will be on Saturday October 6th at 12:00 p.m. at St. Rita’s Church, 32820 Baldwin Road, Solon, Ohio and the burial will be at Calvary Cemetery. A true Irish Wake will take place at The Rusty Bucket, 6025 Kruse Drive, Solon beginning at 4pm on Saturday after mass. In the spirit of Bill’s wishes for a ‘shake and bake’ and ‘no song and dance’, please join family and friends on October 6th from 4pm to 7pm at Bill’s favorite restaurant Rusty Bucket in Solon. No flowers please. Just take a moment and lend a smile and a hand to an unfamiliar face and think of Bill, for whom there were no strangers, only friends he had not yet met.