William Grant “Bill” Merrick, Jr. age 92 of Clarkesville, Georgia passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2020.
Born in Waycross, Georgia on June 25, 1927, he was a son of the late William Grant Merrick, Sr. & Ada Viola Williams Merrick. Bill spent most of his childhood near the ocean in St. Petersburg, Florida. His love of the water continued throughout his lifetime. He shared this with others through the many times he took them up to Lake Lanier on his various boats. Bill believed in living life to the fullest. His many free time endeavors included hiking, flying, historical research, writing, fishing, guitar playing, and storytelling.
As a young man, Bill enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where he served his country proudly in the last days of WWII and the Korean Conflict. After the war, he graduated from the University of Florida on the GI Bill with a degree in Arts and Science. Bill started work on his first job as a lineman for Georgia Power Company. It wasn’t until he was hired by State Farm Insurance Company that his true career began. Bill started with the company as an agent and worked his way up to Manager in Atlanta. After his retirement, he and his wife relocated to Clarkesville, Georgia. With this move, an interest in the history of this area lead him to a volunteer job with the United States Forestry Service. This job enabled Bill to pursue his love of storytelling as well as writing. He was a faithful member of Clarkesville United Methodist Church.
Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife, Mina Sue Strickland Merrick, & brother, Anthony Luppens.
Survivors include his daughters & sons-in-law, Andrea & Ralph Sackett of Clarkesville, GA; Heather & Charlie Hendricks of Metter, GA; brother, Paul Luppens of Galveston, TX; grandchildren, Benjamin Merrick Forney of Cumming, GA; Angela Sackett of Athens, GA; Grant Hendricks & Andrew Hendricks, both of Metter, GA; great-grandchildren, Quinn & William Forney, both of Cumming, GA; many other relatives & friends.
Bill’s wishes were to be cremated.
A gathering for family & friends to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, February 01, 2020, at the Clarkesville United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall with Pastor Keith Cox, Rev. Phil DeMore, & Rev. Jan Devereaux officiating.
An online guest book is available at www.hillsidememorialchapel.com.
Arrangements by Hillside Memorial Chapel of Clarkesville, Georgia (706) 754-6256
