Bill A. Merritt, 86, of Lucedale, Mississippi, serenely departed this life on Sunday, April 26, 2020, surrounded by his loving wife, Jackie and two granddaughters, Madison and Meagan. Bill was born in the Forks of the River, near McLain, MS, on August 10, 1933. Bill was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served in the Pacific Ocean Theater, where he participated in atomic bomb testing. After leaving the Navy, Bill was employed as a Civil Servant with the Federal Government at Brookley Field. Upon Brookley Field's closing, he continued his employment with the FAA for twenty years. Bill retired early from federal service in 1982 and then found a second career working for Texaco Oil Company at the Hatters Pond Facility in Creola, Alabama. Bill led many significant electrical and instrumentation projects to make the facility safer, productive, and profitable. Bill received many awards and accolades from Texaco for his ceaseless efforts in improving this facility. Bill did all of these things while helping to raise two children, maintaining a home, and being a loving husband to his wife, and a devoted son to his parents. After retiring from Texaco, Bill took up the pursuits of a country squire and engaged in cattle farming on a scale suited to his style. These things gave him many days of pleasure in tending to his herd. Bill always enjoyed being in the company of family and friends, and loved his family as deeply as anyone who has ever lived. Strangers were always just one handshake away from becoming his friend. Caring, giving, self-sacrificing, and working hard were not things he spoke much about. Instead, he chose to put these into action during his time here. Bill's time in this life came to a close this past Sunday afternoon, when he got up and walked out of his living room and into the Lord's merciful presence. We were blessed to have him for so long. He was a long-time member and Elder of Vernal Presbyterian Church in Lucedale, MS. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Amen.

Predeceased by his parents O.F. and Geneva Merritt; son, Billy Glenn Merritt; 2 brothers, Roy Merritt and Vandee Merritt; 4 sisters, Lucille Perry, Claire Vee Franks, Melonee Havard, and Mary Alice Hinton.

Survived by his loving wife Mary (Jackie) McLeod Merritt; 2 sons,
Mark D. (Sylvia) Merritt and Richard D. (Rosie) Merritt; 8 grandchildren, Madison Farris, Meagan (Dillion) Evans, Jeannie (Larry) Taylor, Darlana (Austin) Lurquin, Marissa Merritt, Jessica (Michael) Cooney, Brandon (Lindsey) Merritt, and Chase Merritt; 12 great-grandchildren; a sister, Nell Turner; and many other nieces, nephews, and other family members.
Pallbearers are Bernie Howell, Doug Miller, Dillion Evans, Gary Hatcher, Jay Mitchell, and Doy Turner. Honorary pallbearers are Frankie Hinton, Joe James, and Dr. David Schultz.

A private graveside service will be held at Woodard Cemetery, Woodard Cemetery Rd., Lucedale, MS, with Pastors Philip Williams and Larry Havard officiating.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Vernal Presbyterian Church, 455 McInnis Vernal Rd., Lucedale, MS 39452, in memory of Bill Merritt.
The family would like to express our sincere gratitude to Mr. Bernie and Janet Howell, George Regional Hospital System and Encompass Hospice.

Sigler Funeral Home, 601-947-3112, www.siglerfuneralhome.com, 4248 Main St., Lucedale, MS 39452, is in charge of all arrangements.