William "Bill" Frederick Metter, of Wausau, was welcomed into the arms of the Lord on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. He was 79 years old. Bill was born on May 2, 1942 to Rudolph and Joanna Metter in Cleveland, Ohio. He grew up in Willowick, Ohio and graduated from Capital University in Columbus in 1964, where he majored in Greek. He went on to graduate in 1968 from the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary in Columbus, and was ordained at Euclid Lutheran Church the same year. Bill served as pastor at St. John's Lutheran Church in Eau Claire before he was called to St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Wausau. During his tenure at both churches, he led dynamic youth programs, attended many national youth gatherings, baptized countless children and married hundreds of couples. In 1980, Bill moved to Milwaukee to attend MBTI, where he earned the highest grade point average in the school's data processing program history. He held a variety of positions throughout his life and worked for the Falk Corporation in Milwaukee, MBTI, Nicolet College in Rhinelander, Howard Young Medical Center in Minocqua, and the City-County Data Center in Wausau, where he was a systems analyst until his retirement. He was also a licensed deacon for the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod and was a chaplain in the U.S. Army National Guard. Bill married his wife, Patricia, on March 20, 1982 at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church in Greendale.. The two had a special connection and loved to travel, taking several cruises and journeys together including trips to Trinidad and Tobago, where they made many lifelong friends. In Trinidad, they presented a concert at the Naparima Bowl in San Fernando to raise funds for a church. The concert, where Patricia performed and Bill served as master of ceremonies, was attended by hundreds of people including the former president of Trinidad. Even before his retirement, Bill was a skilled craftsman and woodworker. He built custom bunk beds, pens, and gorgeous lamps, tables and other furniture. He was a model railroading enthusiast and a tireless volunteer. He was enormously talented and sang in barbershop quartets and church choirs for much of his life, and was an excellent ballroom dancer. He enjoyed his time working with the Boy Scouts, taking his grandsons on many scouting adventures. Bill served on the North Central Health Care Board of Directors for 10 years and was enormously appreciative of the work the organization performs. He was proudly patriotic and sincere in his love for his family and the Lord. In his memoirs, he wrote about his faith. "An eternal life on a new heaven and earth awaits where there will be no more pain, no more tears, no more fears, no more illness, no more death - only life in the face to face presence of Jesus, my Savior," he wrote. "I look forward to seeing again my parents, grandparents and friends who have gone before, trusting in Christ." In addition to his parents, Bill was reunited in heaven with his sisters, Lois and Jeanne. Along with his beloved wife, Patricia, Bill is survived by his brother, Larry (Barb), his sister-in-law Ann Adams, his stepchildren David Skola (Lori Napstad), Wendy Skola (David Ermeling), Krista (John) Salas and Shereen (Darren) Siewert. He is further survived by his grandchildren: Aidyn Dorzok, Devon Flynn (Lynda Nguyen), Rowan Flynn and Megan Hibbard, who were all close to his heart. There will be a service for those who would like to say their last goodbye to Bill on Thursday, February 17 at Zion Lutheran Church, 709 Sixth St. in Wausau. Visitation will be held at 2 p.m. with a service at 3 p.m. Should you go first and I remain to walk the road alone, I'll live in memories garden dear, with happy days we've known. In spring I'll wait for roses red, when faded, the lilacs blue. In early fall when brown leaves fall, I'll catch a glimpse of you. Should you go first and I remain, for battle to be fought. Each thing you've touched along the way will be a hallowed spot. I'll hear your voice, I'll see your smile, though blindly I may grope, The memory of your helping hand will buoy me on with hope. Should you go first and I remain, one thing I'll have you do: Walk slowly down that long long path, for soon I'll follow you. I want to know each step you take, so I may take the same. For someday down that lonely road you'll hear me call your name. ~by Albert Kennedy "Rosey" Rowsell~.