MILBRIDGE – William Morrell “Big Wheel” Merchant, 85, passed away unexpectedly April 24, 2011, at Down East Community Hospital, Machias. He was born Dec. 24, 1925, on Beals Island, son of the late Ulysses W. and Gladys (Beal) Merchant.
He attended school on Beals Island. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army which took him to Germany, and later was stationed in White Sands, N.M., and while there they were testing rockets that were later used by NASA. He was married to Angie Ray of Milbridge, in 1948, until her death in 1993. Early in life he was self-employed as a clam digger and wreath maker, both of which he continued to do into his early 80s. He later joined Laborers Union Bangor Local No. 327 from which he retired. His first job was at Cutler Naval Base. He also worked at Winter Harbor and Corea Naval bases, St. Joseph Hospital, Eastern Maine Medical Center and most all paper mills. He sometimes worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week and still drove home to be with his family each night. One of his favorite pastimes was playing bingo and socializing with the other players.
He is survived by two sons, George Merchant, and Sidney Merchant and his significant other, Cheryl Alley, all of Milbridge; two daughters, Lou Anne and her husband, Omar Norton Jr., of Addison, and Mona and her husband, Donald Clark, of Lamoine; eight grandchildren, Anne Marie, Michelle and Corey Norton, Melissa Wright, Sid Alley, Christi Hagan Merchant, Heather Leathers and Lisa Clark; 12 great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and cousins; two brothers, Jesse Merchant of Jonesport and Sidney Merchant of Beals; and one sister, Lois Merchant of Brooks. He was predeceased by a brother, James Merchant of Beals; and a grandson, Micheal Morrell Merchant of Milbridge. He will be greatly missed by his children and family.
At his request there will only be a graveside service at a later date at Evergreen Cemetery, Milbridge.