Walter Hershel Merritt passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2018, at Resthaven Living Center at the age of 82. He was born in Bogalusa on Dec. 4, 1936. He was a long-time resident of Bogalusa, where he was a member of Pettitt Memorial Baptist Church. He dedicated 42 years of service to the Bogalusa Paper Mill. He was a great outdoorsman and avid fisherman.

Those left to cherish him include his loving wife, Eddie Nell B. Merritt; his three children, Terry (Becky) Williams of Dallas, Texas, Carolyn (Christopher) Ingram of Zachary, and Michael Merritt of Carriere, Miss.; four grandchildren, Christy Andrea, Ryan Scott Williams, Kelly Ann Langley, and Travis Wade Williams; five great-grandchildren; and his two sisters, Vera Jean Mayor of Bogalusa and Brenda Braton of Bogalusa. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother, Curtis and Ettie Merritt; and his daughter, Kathy Lyn Gomez.

Services celebrating his life were at Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home in Bogalusa. Visitation was on on Thursday, Dec. 6. The family received friends from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Visitation continued on Friday, Dec. 7, at 9 a.m. Service began at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Tommy Pittman and the Rev. Tommy Varnado officiating. Interment followed at Ponemah Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with his family online at www.pooleritchiefuneralhome.com.