NEW PALESTINE, IN
William (Bill) Warner Merritt, 86, of New Palestine, Indiana, died July 16, 2024, at Plainfield Healthcare Center.
He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on September 4, 1937, the son of John Stephens and Dorothy Grace (Hess) Merritt. He married Bonita L. Howe on June 19, 1971.
Bill graduated from Ben Davis High School and went to work for The Linde Company in Speedway. In September 1968, he joined the Indiana State Police as a trooper assigned to road patrol at the Schererville Post in northern Indiana. He then served in the Executive Protection Section (EPS), providing security for Governor Otis R. Bowen. When he returned to road patrol, Bill was assigned to the Pendleton Post and became one of the first troopers to receive the state’s first high-performance Ford Mustangs for speed enforcement and, later, a Chevrolet Camaro. When he retired in September 1992, he received a Safe Driving Award for having compiled 1,000,000 accident-free miles. Following a short retirement from the State Police, Bill began employment with V &S Transport, where he worked for many years, first as a truck driver and later in safety.
Bill’s favorite pastimes included motorcycle trips with his friends, family vacations, especially cruising, league bowling, and NASCAR races.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie; parents, John and Dorothy Merritt; his brothers, Jack and Richard E. Merritt; and his grandson, Ian Boswell.
Surviving are three daughters: Marcia S. (Gary) Boswell of Englewood, FL; Melissa A. (David) Stogsdill of Walbridge, OH; and Kelli J. Sandborn of Indianapolis, IN; and a son, Mark A. Merritt, of Homestead, FL.; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Monday, July 22, 2024, from 10:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M. at Stillinger Family Funeral Home, Hendryx Cumberland Chapel, 11636 E Washington St., Indianapolis, IN, 46229. Funeral service and interment will be held immediately following at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 1977 S State Rd 135, Greenwood, IN 46143
