02/14/2026
William Louis (Lou) Mercer, 91, went to be with the Lord, Saturday, February 7, 2026, at the home of Sunny and Bob McNally (Ocala, Florida). Lou died of natural causes. He was born on December 25, 1934, in Wilson, North Carolina, the son of the late (Sadie and Doc Mercer). At 18 yrs. of age, Lou moved to Richmond to live with his older brother, Arden(deceased), and his family, where he met Drake Letien. Together they opened the television and radio repair business, Letien and Mercer, in Richmond, Virginia, until his retirement in 2007. As a young man, Lou was a member of the Ray of Hope Pentecostal Holiness Church and later in life was a member of Truth Baptist Church with his wife, the late Barbara Ann Mercer (deceased, 2021). He was a loyal Washington Redskins fan and a dedicated New York Yankees baseball fan. After his retirement, he continued his private photography business, genealogy, coin collecting, and woodworking. Lou volunteered as a judge at the Virginia State Fair for many years, judging the black and white photograph submissions. He was an award-winning horticulturalist of dahlias that he frequently entered in the State Fair. Lou was honored to be a guest on the family cruise of the USS Scranton SSN 756 and a special guest of the Commanding Officer, CAPT Mark McNally of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN 69, compliments of Bob McNally (retired Navy Master Chief and beloved son-in-law). He is survived by his youngest brother, Joseph Newton Mercer (Destin, FL), his three daughters, Debra Mercer Peterman (Thomas), Sunny McNally (Bob), and Dawn Lambert (Richard); six grandchildren, who lovingly called him “Pop”, Alan Compton, Anne Compton-Brown, Katelyn Wade, Clare San Miguel, Chase Lambert, and Morgan Spivey; six great grandchildren, Luke Compton, Peyton Duda, Elyana Wade, Mariella, Ezra, and Judah San Miguel, and Baby Boy Spivey due this May. “Uncle Lou” is lovingly remembered by numerous nieces and nephews, with special love from Denise Meador and Sharon Howard. Visitation will be held at 12:30 PM, Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Truth Baptist Church, 8319 Lee-Davis Road, Mechanicsville, VA 23111, with funeral services to follow at 1:00 PM, with Pastor Erik Hastings officiating services. Interment will follow at Signal Hill Memorial Park, 1260 Hanover Courthouse Road, Hanover, VA 23069.