MAYER, William George

William George Mayer, born in Hamburg, Germany, 94 years ago, migrated as a teen-ager with his parents to the United States and became more American than most Americans. And he became more Rotarian than most Rotarians, spending 55 years as a member of that service club, 39 of them years of perfect attendance. But, his friends said, he remained a straight German throughout his life and once a week telephoned three friends in Hamburg. He died Sunday, August 10, 2003, at his home in Westminster Village, a retirement community at 12000 North 90th Street, Scottsdale. Memorial services were held Wednesday, August 20, 2003, at Westminster Village's Chapman Hall. Burial will be in Chicago. Since he was keenly interested in youth, the family suggested memorials may be sent to the Rotary Club Foundation, the Westminster Village Foundation for scholarships or the PEO. Bill came to this country while still a teen-ager and his careers included education in accounting, time as an Internal Revenue agent, and later owner of a Chicago Heights accounting firm. He related that on his first day in school in Chicago, the other kids laughed at his clothes. He went home and announced he would never attend another day of school without clothing like the other children. He lived up to his word and soon had new clothes. Later, as an accountant, he served for 35 years as treasurer of the Cook County township. Catherine and Bob Kruse met Mayer when they vacationed in Scottsdale. After the death of Bob, Catherine and Bill became friends and married in 1988. They moved into Westminster in 2000. Survivors include his widow, Catherine Mayer, her four children: Philip Kruse, Corpus Christi, Texas; David Kruse, Topeka, Kans., Steven Kruse, Jackson Hole, Wyo., and Barbara Kruse, Twin Falls, Idaho. Also surviving are five grandchildren of the widow. the Arizona Republic on 8/19/2003.