William Ormond Merritt

He was born in Long Beach, California where he met the neighborhood friends he shared a lifetime with.

He attended Wilson High School where he was a member of the ACES fraternity and the starting point guard for the first undefeated basketball team in the school’s history.

Bill came from a long line of entrepreneurs and continued the tradition by pursuing many varied endeavors including restaurants, insurance and product development. Prior to retirement, Bill was the CEO of Global Ecology Corporation, patenting and providing much needed technologies for water and soil reclamation to underdeveloped countries.

In the midst of his entrepreneurial activities, he was drawn to a newspaper ad seeking a manager for an Oklahoma based restaurant. Bill moved to Oklahoma City where he met the love of his life, Betty Miles. Bill and Betty married and had four children together. They worked at many and varied pursuits over the course of their long marriage.

Bill’s passion for life and work brought him fulfillment and happiness. And he worked to instill that same passion for life and work in each of his children. He enjoyed family gatherings and graciously hosted family dinners every Sunday. His quick wit, dry sense of humor and propensity for pouring stiff drinks brought much warmth to these family gatherings.

Bill was a proud husband, father and grandfather, and will be deeply missed.

Bill was preceded in death by his mother and father, Suzanne and Ormond Merritt, and his sister Susan Morrison. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Betty Merritt, his sister, Sally Menefee, along with his children, Kelly Merritt, Jennifer Merritt, MacGregor Merritt, Alexandra Batson-Warne, Elizabeth Merritt, and Kristen Merritt, and his three grandchildren, Shilo Batson-Warne, Brandon McGrew, and Henry McGrew.

William's family is holding a private service.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Tunnels to Towers charity in his name.