William George Merriman, 53, was last seen at his parents’ property in the 11300 block of Phelps Road near East Jordan on June 16, 2006 (some records cite June 15). He had returned from his Hudsonville apartment after his mother’s recent death to help care for his father and was staying at the family home when he disappeared. Merriman was a large, muscular man, about 6 feet 4 inches tall and 300 pounds, with gray hair and blue eyes.

Weeks passed before the disappearance was reported. William’s car remained in the driveway, his bank accounts showed no activity, and bloodstains in the house later matched his DNA. In July a sanitation crew removed furniture and carpeting from the home; a bloodstained cushion from the house was recovered later at the White Feather Landfill in Pinconning. Tensions between William and his older brother, Charles Curtis Merriman (known as Chuck), over money, living arrangements and William’s plans to force Charles to contribute or move out are described in the case.

Charles was arrested and later convicted of second-degree murder; William’s body has never been found. Does anyone have memories of William in East Jordan or information about the household during that summer?