Willie J. Merchant
Lena
Willie J. Merchant, 77, a resident of the Coal Bluff Community passed away Wednesday, October 13, 2010 at St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital, Jackson, MS. Visitation was Friday, October 15, 2010 at Wolf Funeral Services in Morton from 6:00 until 8:00 pm and graveside services were Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 11:00 am in the Coal Bluff Baptist Cemetery in Lena, MS. Officiating was Roy Lawrence. Wolf Funeral Services in Morton was in charge of arrangements.
He was a lifelong resident of the Coal Bluff Community and was a Baptist. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish and he was also a charter member of the Pete Lake Hunting Club.
He was preceded in death by parents, Grady and Ruby Merchant and two brothers, James and Wilbur Merchant.
He is survived by his wife, Brookie Merchant, Coal Bluff; seven children, Pam (Sam) Schisler, Madison; Ann Crapps, Morton; Tim Merchant, Leesburg; Beth (Randy) Welborn, Laurel; Blane (Bobbie) McCarty, Louin; Stacy (Beverly) Wright, Brandon; and Danny (Alyssa) Wright, Brandon; five sisters, Vivian Still, West Monroe, LA; Rosie Byrd, Huntsville, AL; Lovell Smith, LaPlace, LA; Opal Irby, Morton; Carolyn Lawrence, Sandhill; three brothers, Joseph Merchant, Pearl; Grady Merchant, Crystal Springs; Mark Merchant, Brandon; 16 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Bruce Buffington, Mark Warren, Steve Smith, Mack Crapps, Mike Harvey and Brent Welborn. Honorary pallbearer was Brandon Welborn. (www.wolffuneralservices.com)