William Richard Merritt, 92 years, 11 months, 28 days old, passed to his Heavenly home on October 23, 2021 at Copper Rock Village in Rogersville, MO with his family by his side.
Bill was born October 25, 1928 in Whitewater, KS to Acie J. Sr. and India Jane (Heatherly) Merritt.
Bill was a Veteran and served in the Korean War with the U.S. Army.
On August 18, 1949 Bill and Jimmie Maxine Engle were united in marriage at Harrison, AR. They were blessed with one son, James.
Bill was retired from serving as Douglas County Clerk for 16 years. He had also worked as a Real Estate Agent and partnered with his longtime friend, B.J. Evans. Bill had been a member of the Ava American Legion Post 112 and served on many funeral honors in the community. He was a Christian. Bill enjoyed deer hunting and fishing. When he was young he loved to restore classic vehicles and tractors.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Maxine, his brother, Homer, three sisters, Mable Merritt, Rosa Lee Anderson and Nancy Walker and his granddaughter, Grace Merritt.
Bill is survived by his son and wife, James & Pam Merritt, three grandchildren, Jonathon & Linda, Matthew and Patrisha, sister and husband, Carolyn Sue & Russell Loftin and Acie “Butch” Merritt Jr. all of Ava, MO, special niece, Rose Zella Myers, many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
Graveside services for Bill will be Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in the Ava Cemetery, Ava, MO with full military honors by the Troy Herd American Legion Post #112 and U.S. Army Detail. A Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct. 26th from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, MO. Officiating will be Pastor Larry Vinson. Family requests memorials be made to Troy Herd American Legion Post #112 or The Ronald McDonald House in Springfield, MO.
