William Marshall Mentz

Mentz, William Marshall, 74, joined his Savior in eternity on March 7, 2025. Bill was born in Welch, West Virginia on February 17, 1951, to Elizabeth Harris Mentz and William Dewey Mentz. He had a wonderful childhood in that small coal mining community exceling in academics and sports even serving as captain and quarterback of his high school football team.

He attended Georgia Tech with plans to be an electrical engineer, but he soon realized his gifts were better suited to medicine. He returned to his home state for Medical School at WVU but in Atlanta he had found his soul mate for life, his wife Becky. He completed his Internship and Residency in Internal Medicine at MUSC, Charleston, SC and his Pulmonary Fellowship at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

In 1984 he joined the Pulmonary and Critical Care group at St. Vincents, Jacksonville, FL. He always felt privileged to work with so many outstanding colleagues, many of whom became good friends. He spent his last five years at the Southside location. Bill walked away from medicine after the busiest time in his ICU career during the Covid Pandemic. He was very grateful he could work during that time. In retirement he often commented that what he missed most was the wonderful people with whom he had worked.

God’s grace was evident in Bill’s life, and he hoped he showed that grace to others. He was raised in a Presbyterian church, and he and Becky became members of St Johns Presbyterian in Jacksonville. He was an active member of his church where he had served as an elder, dish washer and VBS volunteer. He loved studying the Bible and after retirement he co-taught a men’s Sunday School class.

True to his roots, he loved spending time in the mountains with loved ones hiking or backpacking. This past fall he volunteered with Samaritan’s Purse in Western NC and had several volunteer trips lined up this spring and summer in KY and NC. He was selfless, kind, unassuming, joyful and was happiest helping others, and this latest ministry was a blessing to him.

Besides his faith, his greatest joy was his marriage of 52 years to his wife, Becky. He was a beloved husband, cherished father and grandfather, steadfast friend, and faithful servant to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He is survived by his wife Rebecca H.(Becky); son, Marshall H. (Jane) Boston, MA, daughter, Mary M. Finnegan (Tim) Savannah, GA , granddaughters Emma and Rosie Mentz and cousins Francis Rocha, Bowie, MD, Janice VanDyke (Terry), Brentwood, TN, Darrell Harris (Sheila), Denver, NC, Annemarie Thompson, Chapel Hill, NC, Wallace (Bo) Harris (Kim), Midlothian, VA, Gary Harris (Harriet), Winchester, VA, Joy Knight (David) Front Royal, VA and Jacqueline Madesen (Craig) Santee, CA.

Although being an only child he found the best brother and sister in his longtime friend, Larry Bradner and his wife Donna. He is also survived by innumerable people he considered his brother or sister in Christ.

There will be a celebration of Bill’s life on Saturday, April 5th at 11 A.M. at St. Johns Presbyterian Church, 4275 Herschel St. Jacksonville, FL 32210. In lieu of flowers Memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000 Boone, NC 28607, St Johns Presbyterian or a charity of your choice.