William Roy Merrell Jr.

MERRELL, William Roy Jr. (Bill), 81, a resident of Prattville, AL, passed away on November 17, 2013, at home surrounded by his family. Bill was born in Fairfield, AL on September 8, 1932, son of the late William Roy and Minnie Lowry Merrell. He attended the University of Alabama where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He was a veteran of the Korean War, proudly serving in the USMC. He worked for 12 years at US Steel in Fairfield, AL. He began working at Union Camp in 1967 and retired in 1995 with 28 years of service. He was a member of Fountain of Grace Church for 45 years. He enjoyed flying and anything related to aviation, traveling, and spending time with his family. Bill was a passionate animal lover. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Martha Yerby of Pleasant Grove, AL, Lou Frances Morris Roney of Prattville, AL, and his beloved four-legged companion ‘UC’. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Carolyn Goddard Merrell; daughter Suzanne (Rob) Bedford of Tallahassee, FL and their children Josh (Jessica) Bloodsworth and Kathryn Bedford; son Roy Merrell III of Deatsville, AL and his daughter Chelsea; daughter Jennifer (Eric) Coggin of Alpharetta, GA and their children Braeden and Brynne; sister Margaret (Freeland) Crumly of Shalimar, FL, as well as numerous family members and friends. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 19, at Prattville Memorial Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Pastors Tony Butler and Phil Leistner, with interment following at Prattville Memorial Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Roy Merrell, Josh Bloodsworth, Rob Bedford, Bill Goddard, Eric Hyde, and Gene Bedford. Honorary pallbearers will be Eric Coggin, Tyson Goddard, Wayne Hodge, Don Maness, Alvin Bolling, and members of Bill’s Sunday School class. The family would like to thank Baptist Hospice for the exceptional care provided by his nurse Judy McCollum, and his caregiver Brenda Smith. Also many thanks to Luthinia Hall, Katie Williams, and Pat Duncan. The family will receive flowers or memorials can be given to Fountain of Grace Church or the Prattville Humane Society.

William Roy Merrell Jr.

September 8, 1932 - November 17, 2013