SALISBURY – William Thomas Merrell, 86, of Salisbury, died Monday, Dec. 18, 2006, at Autumn Care Nursing Home in Salisbury after a period of declining health.

Born July 15, 1920, in Rowan County, Mr. Merrell was the son of the late Fannie Waller Merrell and William Adam Merrell. He retired from the Rowan County School System as a bus mechanic.

A World War II veteran, he was discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant from the Army in 1945. He was a charter member of the Union Volunteer Fire Department and was active for many years.

He was a baptized active member for 52 years of Union Lutheran Church and was a charter member of Maranatha Bible Church.

Preceding him in death were brothers Allen Merrell and Harry Merrell.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Eva Beatrice Thomason Merrell; sons Lanny Merrell and wife Linda of Rockwell, Duran Merrell and wife Linda of Salisbury, and Barry Merrell and wife Patty of Oxford; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Visitation: Visitation will be from 7-9 tonight at Summersett Funeral Home; and at other times, the family will be at their respective homes.

Service: The funeral will be on Thursday at 3 p.m. at Union Lutheran Church, Salisbury, with the Rev. Dr. C.P. Fisher, interim pastor, officiating assisted by the Rev. Bob Frietas, minister of Maranatha Bible Church. Burial will follow in the Union Lutheran Church Cemetery, with military graveside rites conducted by the Rowan Military Honor Guard.

Memorials: Memorials may be made to Union Lutheran Church, 4770 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC 28146, designated for the Air Conditioning Fund or Cemetery Fund.

Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Merrell family.