Eugene Merrill

Eugene Bart Merrill left his earthly life on October 26, 2016 at the ripe age of 84.  He was born May 13, 1932 in Preston, Idaho to Eugene Baird Merrill and Eva R Merrill.  He grew up in Preston and attended the local schools graduating in 1950 from Preston High School.

Bart, as he was mostly known, attended Utah State on a basketball scholarship.  His college was cut short as he enlisted in the US Air Force at the beginning of the Korean Conflict and served in Alaska and Sacramento, California the major portion of his service.

He was married November 16, 1953 to Lee Bodily Merrill and would have celebrated his 63rd anniversary soon.  They were married in Logan LDS Temple.

They lived in Sacramento for a year before returning to Preston where Bart continued his education at Utah State.  He worked at Thiokol and retired after 30 years from Hill AFB.  He also served about 5,000 hours as a volunteer at Ogden Regional.

He was active in the community as a Layton Jaycee.  He was responsible as a volunteer for many of the youth sports activities in Layton at that time.  He loved to hunt and fish and take his family with him.  He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many positions during his years.

He is survived by his wife, Lee, his children Terrie (Robert) Garrett of Mississippi; Leslie (Dale) Wilkinson of Layton; Beverly (Kirk) Combe of Layton; and Brad (Jodi) Merrill of Hooper; a foster son, Samuel Soue of California.  His pride and joy 19 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Sharon Nelson and two granddaughters Hillary Garrett and Heather Combe.

Funeral services will be held Monday, October 31, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the Snowcreek Ward, 845 N. 1150 E., Layton.  Friends may visit family Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Monday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment, Preston Cemetery, Preston, Idaho.