William Russell Merritt

William “Bill” Russell Merritt was born on August 17, 1949, in College Park, MD, to Clyde and  Mary (nee Koller) Merritt. From the time he was a teenager, he was interested in car mechanics and attended and graduated from Bladensburg High School, which, at the time, was a trade school where he could indulge his interest. This interest in mechanics ultimately led to his assignment as a helicopter mechanic when he decided to join the United States Air Force in 1970. He faithfully served his country in the Air Force for 20 years, a time that included two tours in Vietnam and a 16 year stint at the First Helicopter Squadron on Andrews Air Force Base. It was during his first tour in Vietnam when he met the love of his life, a woman who would become his wife for nearly 52 years. He and his wife, Hoa, had their daughter, Cathy, in 1975, and in 1984 the family moved from Andrews base housing to Upper Marlboro, MD, where Bill and Hoa would reside for nearly 39 years. After retiring from the Air Force, Bill went on to work security for NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, a job he thoroughly enjoyed until he decided to fully retire in 2013. In 2023, Bill and Hoa moved to Alexandria, VA, to be closer to their daughter and her family. He passed away on November 25, 2024, with his beloved wife and daughter by his side. Bill was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather who spent his life doing his best by his family; there was almost nothing he wouldn’t do for them.. To extended family, friends, and acquaintances, he was always known as a kind, gentle, generous, and cheerful gentleman. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Bill is survived by his wife Hoa; daughter Cathy (Josh) Cook; grandsons Jonah and Samuel “Tyler” Cook; sisters Katherine (Ronnie) Timmons, Mary Fleet, and Mildred Merritt; brother James (Terri) Merritt; and several nieces and nephews to whom he was always Uncle Billy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Mary Merritt. A public viewing and visitation will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 2-4PM at Lee Funeral Home (6633 Old Alexandria Ferry Rd., Clinton, MD). A private, family-only burial will be held on a later date at Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to the USO (Donate Here) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Donate here).