March 5, 2021, 63, Goldsboro –

William Harris “Bill” Merritt, resident of Goldsboro, passed away Friday morning, March 5, 2021, at Wayne UNC Hospital at the age of 63.

Mr. Merritt, born in Duplin County, was raised in the Beautancus community near Mount Olive and was a graduate of North Duplin High School. He was employed as parts manager with the family business, Fun Products, in Goldsboro.

He is survived by a daughter, Shelley Merritt Montano and husband, Fabian Omar Montano, of Mount Olive; a son, Gordon Drake Merritt of Goldsboro; a grandson, Martin Montano, of Mount Olive; his mother, Mary Rose Davis Merritt of Dudley; two brothers, Jonathan Merritt of Goldsboro, and Daniel Merritt and wife, Lisa, of Dudley; and a sister, Lisa Merritt Vay and husband, Michael, of Dudley; as well as the staff at Fun Products, and his many customers and friends.

His father, A. Harris Merritt, preceded him in death.

There will be a memorial gathering of family and friends at Tyndall Funeral Home in Mount Olive, Tuesday, March 9, from 6 until 8 p.m. Per Bill’s wishes to be cremated and with knowing that there will not be a burial, should others wish to honor the family with flowers, please consider plants or small arrangements which might be enjoyed in the family’s homes.

As Mr. Merritt has departed from us, he would want us to remember him with fondness as William Harris Merritt, the self-proclaimed “Real Bill.”