Bill J. Merritt was born to Ernest and Myrtle Merritt on Feb. 13, 1926, in Coleman County. The Lord called him home on Monday, July 25, 2011.
Bill grew up on a farm in Comanche County. On May 12, 1944, he was married to LaDelle Collier and they were blessed with one daughter, Karen Lynn Jackson.
He graduated from Brownwood High School in May of 1943 and volunteered for the Air Force in January of 1944. In July of 1944, he was called into service and became a Cadet and was discharged in November of 1945 when the war was over. Bill surrendered his life to the ministry and graduated from Howard Payne University in 1948 with a BD degree and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1953 with a BD and MDiv degree.
He spent 64 years of his life pastoring Baptist churches. While in HPU he pastored Nix and Naruna Baptist churches in Lampasas and Burnet counties. Then he pastored Alexander Baptist in Stephenville County where he led in the building of a parsonage. While pastoring Lake Victor in Burnet County a new church building was built. He pastored Bertram Baptist in Bertram, Texas for three years while attending the seminary. He pastored First Baptist Church in Jacksboro, Texas, from 1955-1968 and led in the building of a new sanctuary.
From Jacksboro, Bill moved to Coleman, Texas, to pastor First Baptist Church until 1975 and a new wing was added to the church. Then he became pastor of First Baptist Church in Denver City, Texas, where he stayed until June of 1989. After retiring from Denver City, Bill and LaDelle moved to Lake Brownwood in Brown County where the Grosvenor Baptist Church asked him to pastor them. He pastored that church for 20 years after his retirement. While there the church was completely renovated and brought up to date. In January of 2010, he resigned the church and in August he and LaDelle moved to Sun City in Georgetown, Texas, to be near their daughter and son-in-law.
Bill served on the Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas for 18 years and as a Trustee of Baptist Memorial Geriatric Center in San Angelo for nine years and held several offices in the Lion’s Club and Rotary Club. His records show that he baptized 731 people, married 258 couples, conducted 535 funerals and led in over 45 revivals across the Southwest U.S. Some of the earlier events were not recorded. He ministered with love and patience and mended hurting churches. He is a member of Crestview Baptist Church of Georgetown, Texas.
Bill is survived by his wife of 67 years, LaDelle, who is a gifted Bible teacher, loving and devoted wife and model pastor’s wife; daughter, Karen Jackson and two grandsons, Hal Riley of Dallas and Joel Riley and wife Jennifer of Abilene. He leaves six great-grandchildren, Chelsi Riley, Kali Riley, Lance Riley, Cole Riley of Abilene and River Riley and Colt Riley of Birmingham, Ala.; one sister, Bobbie Crosby of Brownwood, Texas; two sisters-in-law, Jeri Michalk of Harlingen, Texas, Jo Ann Guillory of Houston, Texas; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Myrtle Merritt; two brothers, Wayne and Loy Merritt; a sister, Faye Swearingen; and his son-in-law, Dick Jackson.
Bill planned and led in the writing of his obituary.
The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Pall Bearers and Honorary Pall Bearers are Bill’s nephews, David Swearingen, Tom Michalk, Eldred Carter, Nathan Michalk, Gaylon Merritt, Monte Free, Craig Adams, Steve Free, Scott Adams, Dale Free and Dan Free.
A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. today at Ramsey Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 28, at Crestview Baptist Church, with the Rev. Jack Phelps officiating. Burial will follow in I.O.O.F. Cemetery.
Arrangements made under the care and guidance of Ramsey Funeral Home, 5600 Williams Dr., Georgetown, Texas, 78633. (512) 869-7775.
The family invites you to leave a message or memory in the memorial guestbook at www.RamseyFuneral.com.
