Merrill Stirling

FRUIT HEIGHTS - William Merrill Stirling, 83, returned home to his loving Heavenly Father on Monday, June 27th, 2016 surrounded by loved ones while holding the hand of his sweet wife.

Merrill was born on October 9th, 1932 in Hurricane, Utah to David and Ethel Isom Stirling. He lived in Leeds, Utah on the family farm that was settled in the 1860's by his grandfather, William Stirling whom emigrated from Scotland. Merrill was the eighth of nine children. Merrill Graduated from Dixie High School in 1950 and from Dixie Junior College in 1952. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1952 to 1954. After the Army, Merrill served in the Spanish-American Mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from 1955 to 1958. He served in Texas and New Mexico.

Upon return from his mission, Merrill attended Utah State University and majored in Industrial Arts and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1960 and a Master’s degree in 1970.

He married Katherine Harvey in Bellersheim, Germany on October 28th, 1961. They were sealed a week later in the Swiss Temple on November 4th, 1961. In the following years, Merrill and Katherine had four sons; William, Britton, David, and Robert. In 1962 they moved to Katherine’s hometown of Fruit Heights, Utah and in 1966 Merrill built a home and they named the road Stirling Drive. Ten years later in 1976 Merrill built their current home on the hillside overlooking the Harvey farm.

Merrill retired from the Davis County School District in 1992. He worked for 32 years at Kaysville Junior High teaching Industrial Arts and occasionally Spanish, math, and Utah History. For the majority of his life, he ran the farm in Leeds, Utah and Fruit Heights, Utah growing peaches, hay, and raising Hereford cattle. During the summer months he was a general contractor on homes in Davis County and did many remodels and finished basements during the school year.

Merrill and Katherine served an 18-month mission at LDS Church Headquarters in Salt Lake City during 1996-1998 at the member location office.

Merrill’s sons have fond memories of their childhood. Dad’s main hobbies were working on the farm and construction jobs and each of the four sons spent time with Dad while framing houses, hauling hay and many other types of work. Merrill and Katherine are proud of their four sons, all of whom earned their Eagle Scout awards and graduated from Utah State University. They have ten grandchildren.

In 2011, Merrill and Katherine celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They have enjoyed their travels to many areas of the world throughout their lifetime.

Merrill is preceded in death by his parents, his son William, his sisters Ilene, Charlene, Elaine, Florence, and his infant brother Leslie David.

He is survived by his loving wife, Katherine, sons Britton (Lori), David (Danielle), and Robert (Cheryl), ten grandchildren, brothers Eldon and Culbert and sister Katherine.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 1, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Fruit Heights 9th Ward Chapel at 901 South Mountain Road. Friends may visit with family on Thursday from 6 to 8 pm at Lindquist’s Kaysville Mortuary, 400 North Main and Friday from 9:30 to 10:30 at the church.

Interment, Kaysville City Cemetery.