William T. Merritt, a lifelong resident of Cold Spring, died on Monday, June 6, 2016 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie. He was 86.
Son of the late Blaine and Christina (Denney) Merritt, he was born at Butterfield Hospital on April 12, 1930, the youngest of 11 siblings. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict, and was stationed at bases in Puerto Rico, Bermuda, and Greenland.
William worked for the electrical department at Texaco Research Co. in Glenham for 37 years, retiring as foreman in 1992.
He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed camping & fishing. His other hobbies included bowling and woodworking. He also participated with the Disabled American Veterans at Castle Point V.A. Medical Center.
On October 19, 1952, he married Margaret J. Schulenberg at the First Reformed Church of Poughkeepsie. Mrs. Merritt survives at home in Cold Spring.
He is also survived by his children and their spouses, Wendy & Thomas Hirst of Salt Point, Barbara & Donald VanVoorhis of Fishkill, David & Cathy Merritt of Cold Spring, and Lisa & Anthony Dougan of Murfreesboro, TN; his grandchildren, Emily Lallouz (Jonathan), Anne Donahue, Kari Collins (Ronald), Kimberly VanVoorhis, Lauren Merritt, Alyssa Merritt, Ryan Merritt, Ally Hanna (Wesley), Zack Dougan; Troy Dougan; his step-grandchildren, Jason Hirst (Amy), Allison Dziemaszkiewicz (Jacob), and Ashley Hirst; his great-grandson, Peter Hirst; his sister, Evelyn Lahey of Lake George; also many nieces, nephews, and other loving relatives & friends.
William was predeceased by his infant daughter, Linda Jane Merritt in 1954. He was also preceded in death by nine siblings, Elsie Merritt, Leslie Merritt, Doug Merritt, Roland Merritt, Jeanette Stebbins, Eleanor Merritt, Theodore Merritt, Richard Merritt, and Robert Merritt.
Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 9 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 10 at the First Reformed Church of Fishkill, 1153 Main Street, Fishkill. Rev. Gloria McCanna will officiate. Interment will follow at Cold Spring Cemetery, where the U.S. Navy will conduct Military Honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the North Highlands Engine Co. 1, 504 Fishkill Rd., Cold Spring, NY 10516.
For directions, online tributes and memorial donations, you can visit William's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.