Joseph Arnold Merritt, age 81 of Mt. Olive, AL, formerly of Yulee, FL passed away on Thursday, December 13, 2018. Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Warren Merritt and Anna Lucille Merritt; brothers, Warren Levi Merritt and William Frederick Merritt; and grandsons, Joshua David Merritt and Benjamin Matthew Merritt. Mr. Merritt proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1955 – 1959. He retired from Anheuser-Busch after 23 years of dedicated service. Some of his hobbies includes going fishing and rooting on the Georgia Bulldogs in a Florida Gators Family! Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Bonnie L. Merritt; sons, Michael Joseph Merritt and wife Betty and Gregory Warren Merritt and wife Terri; daughter Michelle Merritt Shelton and husband Wayne; grandchildren, Kristen Fielder, Kelly Trawick, Jimmy Baldwin, Tayler Woodruff, Michael Merritt, Jr., Keri Trousdale, Sarah Merritt, and Teria Mosley; several great grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, December 15, 2018 at Ridout’s Gardendale Chapel. Son in law Rev. Wayne Shelton will be officiating.