April 25, 2013

Bill passed away on Monday, April 15, at the age of 64, after a battle with cancer. A native of Scranton, PA, a U.S. Marine and Vietnam vet, William Merrick was a commodore of the Singlehanded Sailing Society, and sailed his Ericson 35 MkII Ergo in the Singlehanded TransPac in 2004 and 2006. He is survived by his wife, Sara Merrick of Madison, MS, and daughter, Hannah Kathryn Betterton of Vietnam.

Bill Merrick. Photo Courtesy Singlehanded Sailing Society

Contributions in Bill's memory supporting the School of Medicine Oncology Program and Radiation Oncology Program of University Medical Center can be sent to the UMMC Fund, in memory of Bill Merrick, at Office of Development, 2500 North State St., Jackson, MS, 39216. You can read his obituary in the ClarionLedger of Jackson, MS. Fellow SHTP vet Ruben Gabriel put this video together last fall as friends helped prepare Ergo for a new owner: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS_RJS8tt3g.