William Taft (Mercado) Jacob

William Taft Jacob, “Bill,” our cherished husband, father, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2026, at the age of 88, after a life well spent in the care and protection of others.

He was born December 7, 1937, in Mariveles, Bataan, Philippines, to Felix “Mike” Mercado and Ethel Mae Taft. The bombing of Pearl Harbor started on his fourth birthday, and just hours later, bombing commenced in the Philippines near his home. Bill and his mother fled to the jungle, and it was in those conditions that his precious little sister, Marla, came into this world. Mother and son surrendered and were interned at Santo Tomas POW Camp. Marla had been secretly given to a Swiss nurse, Hermine Roeder, who saved her life.

Bill’s father, Mike, fought with the resistance until his death. After three years of internment, Billy lay in a window well and watched the tanks break down the walls of the camp, and he and his mother were liberated. They returned to the United States aboard the Eberle, and his Great-Aunt Olive took them in and fed them back to health. These early experiences forged a character that was primed for self-reliance, knowing how to earn a penny, and protecting family and others.

Bill and his mother moved to Provo, where he was quickly enrolled in boxing classes. Then Mae met and fell in love with Sherman Ellsworth Jacob, who became Bill’s father providing a steady, calming presence in his life. The family moved to Pleasant Grove,and brothers Larry and David joined the family in 1947 and 1952.

Bill grew up in Pleasant Grove’s Monkey Town neighborhood enjoying friends, the Cavaliers Car Club, and wrestling. Then one day, his friends took him to meet a girl in Lehi named JaNeane Whimpey. They had a brief conversation, and when he got back in the car, he told his friends, “I’m going to marry that girl.”

True to his word, Bill married JaNeane on June 13, 1958. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple. Theirs was a truly unique partnership as they worked side by side in business and in life. To this partnership were born two daughters, Lori and Leisa. Values of honesty, integrity, service, and hard work were valued and taught by example and experience. Bill had “no greater joy than to hear [his] children walked in truth” (3 John 1:4).

Professionally, Bill could take chaos and create order and efficiencies. He was ahead of his time as an innovative thinker and problem solver. He credited Warren McCain as a foundational mentor who provided tools and values for a successful career. Warren tasked Bill with paying it forward, and he did.

He was unable to see someone in need without responding. His generosity was private and heartfelt. But there came a turning point in his life when giving became more consecrated and covenant-centered. He believed that if he was blessed with excess,then it must be “with the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry,and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and afflicted” (Jacob 2:19).

One of his greatest joys in his later years was finding his little sister, Marla Mercado. He grieved not finding her before her death, but was blessed through his relationships with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His Mercado family has been gathered in, and his family feels complete.

Bill’s family extended far beyond those to whom he was biologically related. We are grateful for the many friends, neighbors, and business associates who became part of his family.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Sherman Ellsworth Jacob and Ethel Mae Jacob; his biological father, Felix “Mike” Mercado; his brothers, Larry Jacob and David Jacob; his sister, Marla Mercado; and his grandson, Kurt Eric Briggs.

Bill is survived by his wife, JaNeane; his two daughters, Lori (Eric) Briggs and Leisa (Richard) Hatch; his seven grandchildren, Janelle (Steven) Reeves, Dana (Nick) Bean, Kyra Briggs, Sara (Will) Southwick, Megan (Brett) Jenkins, Ashlyn (Dallin) Wiberg, and Lindsey (Juan) Matus; and his eight great-grandchildren, Carson Reeves, Nathan Reeves, Maya Jenkins, Jett Jenkins, Sawyer Bean, Sterling Bean, Louis Wiberg, and Claire Wiberg; and his Mercado family: nieces Marla DeLong and Georgette (Gigi) Lundquist, great-niece Misha (Dustin) Fristed, and great-great-niece Kyrie Fristed.

A public viewing will be hosted at Anderson and Sons Mortuary, 49 E. 100 N., American Fork, UT 84003, on September 23, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at the American Fork 13th Ward Building, 975 N. 60 E., American Fork, UT 84003, on September 24, 2026. There will be a viewing from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in the American Fork Cemetery.