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William Paul Merrill Jr. (1918 - 2009)

HYRUM, Utah - William Paul Merrill Jr., age 91, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, at the Cache Valley Assisted Living Center. Paul was born in Richmond, Utah, on March 15, 1918, the first child of William Paul and Susan Jacobs Merrill. He has three brothers: Gordon (deceased), Kenneth (Kaysville) and Richard (deceased). He married Anna Luke (deceased) of Rexburg, Idaho, in the Logan LDS Temple on July 3, 1945. They were blessed with four children, Gary (deceased), Sue (Kim) Cheshire of Hyrum, Roger (Suzanne) Merrill of Draper and Brad (Sherese) of Providence. Paul grew up in Bozeman, Mont., and Preston, Idaho. He served in the Northern States LDS Mission where he met Mom. He joined the Navy as soon as he completed his mission. He served during World War II, taking his discharge in Japan, then worked for the 8th Army Engineers for eight years. Mom joined him there a year later. They resided in Japan until the fall of 1952. They had the privilege of assisting with the reopening of the Japanese Mission under the leadership of Edward L. Clissold, and enjoyed having the missionaries live with them. Paul served as LDS group leader during this time. Upon returning to the United States, they moved to Idaho where they did farming. In 1963 they moved to Logan where Paul owned Allied Van Lines Moving and Storage. When he retired he opened a shop, "Paul's Fix-It," where he repaired small engines, mowers, tillers and saws. He spent many years raising Morgan horses and enjoyed riding ATVs and snowmobiles to his cabin which he and Mom built at Sheep Creek Cove. After retirement he and Mom harvested logs in Logan Canyon, transported them to the saw mill in Smithfield, then took the lumber to Sheep Creek Cove where they constructed a log cabin which they enjoyed year round. He held many LDS Church positions throughout his life. He enjoyed serving as an officiatior in the Logan LDS Temple for 10 years. After Mom passed away he moved in with his daughter and son-in-law in Hyrum where he enjoyed meeting new friends and neighbors. He loved mowing the lawn on his riding lawnmower, a task he enjoyed up to a week ago, and helping whenever he could. He is survived by his children, nine grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren; and a brother, Kenneth. He was preceded in death by his wife, Anna; two brothers, Gordon and Richard; and son, Gary. Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Hyrum 2nd Ward, 455 E. 100 South in Hyrum. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at Allen-Hall Mortuary, 34 E. Center St. Logan, and from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. prior to services at the church on Saturday. Interment will be in the Preston City Cemetery where military honors will be performed. Condolences and thoughts may be expressed to the family online at www.allenmortuaries.net.