Colonel
William F. Merritt of Goldsboro passed away peacefully in his home
Saturday evening. Born the son of a Methodist minister in
Reidsville, Georgia, he grew up in south central Georgia and
graduated from Emory University in Atlanta in 1938. After working at
the First National Bank of Atlanta, he was drafted and began service
as an officer in the Army Air Corps in 1942. Serving in North Africa
and Italy during World War II, he was awarded the Bronze Star. After
the war, he briefly left the military but returned when offered a
chance to join the newly created United States Air Force, where he
served out the rest of his 30-year armed forces career. Among his
assignments were those that took him to the Pentagon, Great Britain
and the Philippines. In 1972, after working as the hospital
administrator at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, he took his
retirement and was awarded the Legion of Merit in recognition of his
distinguished career as a military officer.
His retirement years were spent enjoying family and friends, with
frequent trips to Salter Path on the North Carolina coast. Over the
years, he served New Hope United Methodist Church as a board member,
as a Sunday school teacher and as an otherwise active church member.
His wit and wisdom were appreciated by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife Mary Ellen Sykes Merritt, sons David of
Raleigh, Ben of High Point and Robby of Raleigh. Also surviving are
Robby’s wife Susana and their children, granddaughters Vanessa and
Olivia. Other surviving family includes sister-in-law Lois Merritt
of Snyder, New York, cousin Ann Robertson of Cairo, Georgia and a
large extended family.
Funeral services will be Tuesday at 2 p.m. at New Hope United
Methodist Church with Rev. Hunter Preston officiating. Burial will
follow in Wayne Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to New Hope United
Methodist Church, 200 East New Hope Road, Goldsboro, North Carolina
27534.
The family will receive friends Monday from 7-9 p.m. at Seymour
Funeral Home and other times at the residence.
Colonel
William F. Merritt of Goldsboro passed away peacefully in his home
Saturday evening. Born the son of a Methodist minister in
Reidsville, Georgia, he grew up in south central Georgia and
graduated from Emory University in Atlanta in 1938. After working at
the First National Bank of Atlanta, he was drafted and began service
as an officer in the Army Air Corps in 1942. Serving in North Africa
and Italy during World War II, he was awarded the Bronze Star. After
the war, he briefly left the military but returned when offered a
chance to join the newly created United States Air Force, where he
served out the rest of his 30-year armed forces career. Among his
assignments were those that took him to the Pentagon, Great Britain
and the Philippines. In 1972, after working as the hospital
administrator at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, he took his
retirement and was awarded the Legion of Merit in recognition of his
distinguished career as a military officer.