William "Bill" Larkin Merritt

William "Bill" Larkin Merritt January 30, 1946 April 5, 2015 Printer-friendly versionSend to friend

William Bill Larkin Merritt was born Jan. 30, 1946, in Arkadelphia, Ark. His family moved to Riceville, Iowa, whenhewasseven.

He went to Henderson State College to escape the cold.He became a commercial and residential journeyman electrician during his college days.He graduated in 1968 with a BS in physics and minor in math. On an ROTC scholarship, he was appointed an Army officer upongraduation.

He went through jungle warfare school prior to going to Vietnam. He spent two years flying recon before coming home. He built his Army career as a pilot, an air traffic controller, and an FAA trained Flight Inspection Pilot. He was selected as the final candidate for the Army astronaut program until he came down with gout. He was also a highly successful Dean of ROTC at Albany State College, a historically Black College. He gave up going to Command and General Staff School and promotion to Lt. Colonel in order to spend more time with his family and coach his kids soccer team.He retired from the Army in October 1988. He spent two years as a test pilot for Beach Aerospace out of Moffett Air Field in San Jose, Calif. He returned home to Sierra Vista when he was asked to become a Deacon in the Catholic Church. He was ordained in 1996 in large part because he wanted to help his fellow man learn that Catholicism is about faith and love, and not rules to which there are always exceptions. He started working with UAVs in 1992. He loved the technology and the challenge. He eventually had a vision for a dedicated UAV test facility. He was privileged to realize his dream in building it out at Dugway, Utah. He finally retired for good in 2011 when he needed another back surgery. He spent his last few years traveling, working with the Knights of Columbus, spending time with family and friends, and living out his faith and his dreams.

On Easter Sunday, April 5, 2015, in true Bill Merritt style, Deacon Bill decided it was time for him to rise above and look over his friends and family from a higher place.He passed away due to acute system failure following open heart bypass surgery.He was an amazing story teller and his life was one of love, laughter, and sharing stories. Always quick with a hug, a joke, and a heartwarming smile, his life and legacy is carried on in the lives and hearts of the many people hetouched.

He is survived by his wife Rita Jo, his five children, James (wife, Maria), Billy Jo (husband, Perry Higgins), Cary Jo (husband, Tim Nieman), John, and Bobby; six grandchildren; six grand-dogs and a couple grand-cats; his brother Jim (wife, Cherie), his sister Cathy; his uncle Bill Presson; several cousins and in-laws; and an incredible hostoffriends.

A memorial celebration will beSaturday,April 11, at 10 a.m.at Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church in Sierra Vista. We are asking that anyone attending wear colors that celebrate life and keep black attire toaminimum.

In lieu of flowers, friends and family can make a donation to: Our Lady of the Mountains 1425 E. Yaqui St. Sierra Vista, AZ85650

Or simply buy a drink for a stranger and spread a little more love intheworld.

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William "Bill" Larkin Merritt