Billy Gene Merritt

A longtime resident of Pensacola, Bill graduated from Pensacola High School in 1948. His activities at PHS included Captain of the Cheerleading Team in his Junior year, President of the Student Council and playing basketball in his Senior year. He attended Pensacola Junior College and the University of Florida. During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Air Force at McClellan AFB in California and Chanute AFB in Illinois.

He was very athletic and loved all sports, hunting and fishing. He regularly played golf and tennis most of his adult life. In 2003, he made a 165 yard hole in one with a 5-wood at Stonebrook Golf Course, hole #12. He had a beautiful tenor voice and spent many years singing in church choirs, solos at weddings and other venues.

He worked as a Mortgage Broker and Realtor in Pensacola and later in his career started a business, Merritt Properties. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Pensacola serving faithfully for almost 50 years. He served as a deacon, chairman of committes and secretary of a Sunday School Class. He loved his church family.

Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years Regi Merritt, brothers Kenneth and Charles Merritt, sister Carolyn Lee and granddaughter, Crystal Merritt. He is survived by his son Mike (Kathy) Merritt of Columbia, South Carolina, son Walter F. Merritt of Pensacola, daughter Christine (Tommy) Poe of Pensacola and sister Betty Claire Stone of Fairhope, Alabama. He cherished his six grandchildren, Amber Eckley, Tyler Merritt, Megan Jones, Crystal Merritt, Adrienne Merritt and Mark Merritt. Also, he treasured his great-grandhildren, Ethan Poertner, Trey Jones, Mackenzie Jones, Jason Jones, Patience Yuria Merritt and Linden Eckley. His nieces and nephews were special to him as well. He had many life-long friends and lived life to the fullest.

In liew of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Merritt can be made to the Music Ministry of First Baptist Church, 500 N. Palafox St., Pensacola, Florida 32501.

A Celebration of Life memorial will be held at First Baptist Church Pensacola in Pleitz Chapel on July 30, 2021 at 4:00 pm with visitation at 3:00 pm.

Burial arrangements are with Bayview Fisher-Pou Chapel, 3351 Scenic Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32503. www.bayviewfisher-pouchapel.com