Billy Colley Merritt Dies

Mr. Billy Colley Merritt, 77, of Douglasville passed away Monday, Aug. 27, 2012. He was born Jan. 29, 1935 in Decatur, the son of the late Mr. Bill Coley Merritt and the late Mrs. Audrey Evelyn Pittard Merritt. He married Judy Bone on April 2, 1955 in Conyers. He operated Merritt Grading Co. for many years and was of the Baptist Faith. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially coon hunting. Mr. Merritt was a member of Chattahoochee Coon Hunting Club and Waco Coon Hunting Club. He also enjoyed dirt track racing. He was a devoted family man.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Opal West; and brother and sister-in-law, F.A. and Sara Merritt.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Judy Bone Merritt of Douglasville; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jeanette and Larry Ayers of McDonough, and Mary and Jimmy Bryant of Powder Springs; two sons and daughters-in-law, Chris and Susan Merritt of Whitesburg; and Mark and Jackie Merritt of Douglasville; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Jackie and Bobby Housworth, Carolyn and Perry Conner, and Deloris Maddox all of Conyers; brother-in-law, Ray West of Conyers; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; longtime friend and business associate, Mr. Larry Boggs.

The family will receive friends at Jones-Wynn Funeral Home, Douglas Chapel, Wednesday, Aug. 29, from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, Aug. 30, at 2 p.m. from the Chapel of Jones-Wynn Funeral Home in Douglasville with Pastor Todd Wright officiating and Mr. Larry Boggs providing the eulogy. Interment will follow at Sunrise Memorial Gardens in Douglasville.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.jones-wynn.com. Jones-Wynn Funeral Home, Inc., Cremation Service and Memorial Gardens of Douglasville is in charge of arrangements. 770-942-2311