Merrill D. Williams

Merrill D. Williams 90, of Gallipolis Ferry, died Saturday, May 30, 2009 at his home. He was retired from Carolina Lumber Company in 1993 after 25 years of service. He attended College Hill Church in Gallipolis Ferry and last attended French City Baptist Church in Gallipolis, Ohio. Mr. Williams was born October 7, 1918 at London, WV, a son of the late Bazzle Leroy and Lura Ethel (Simpkins) Williams. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Gladys whom he married May 30, 1944, exactly 65 years prior to the date of his death, and a brother, Ray Williams. Surviving are his eight children, Rebecca Mitchell and husband Bruce of Gallipolis Ferry, James Williams and wife Betty of Zanesville, OH, Michael Williams and wife Sally of Harts, WV, Elaine Taylor of Fairplain, WV, Ruth Colegrove and husband Randy of Apple Grove, Alice Proffitt and husband Monty of Portland, OH, Mark Williams and wife Cindy of Gallipolis Ferry, and John Williams of Wilmington, NC; and special family friend Ronnie Wyant. He had twenty-seven grandchildren, Bruce Mitchell, Barbara Mitchell, Joshua and Amanda Williams, James, Jr., and Jonathan Williams, Michael Jr. and Kim Williams, Shawn and Hope Williams, Doug and Michelle Taylor, Kent Taylor, Sherri Wilkins, Terri and Dan Hickman, Jason and Rick Curtiss, Joshua and April Pullins, Jeremy and Tomi Pullins, Megan and Rachael Fitzwater and Michelle and Nicole Williams, and 15 great-grandchildren. Also, surviving are four sisters, Dorothy Wood and Sarah Lee Selbe of Chipley, FL, Arlene Northup of Vero Beach, FL, and Alice Paxton and husband Roger of Gallipolis Ferry; two brothers, Roy Williams and wife Ann of Gallipolis Ferry, David Williams of Moores Hill, IN; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at the Wilcoxen Funeral Home in Point Pleasant with his sons Pastors Mark and James Williams officiating. Burial will follow in Concord Cemetery at Henderson, WV. Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.wilcoxenfuneralhome.com.