Obituary of Willard Willie'' D. Merritt

Willard D. “Willie” Merritt, a proud veteran of the Vietnam War, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday morning, May 14, 2016. The beloved husband of Dianne A. (Manoukian) he was 66 years old. Willie was born in Waltham. He was the son of the late Otis and Marie (Woodward). He lived in Burlington from the age of 5 – 16 and then his family moved to Billerica. He was a graduate of Billerica High School. Willie served his country in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He achieved the rank of Sergeant. Willie was the recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksman Ribbon, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the Presidential Unit Citation. After the service he went on to have a career as an HVAC Technician and Engineer. He worked as an Engineer for Building Technology. Willie was also employed by the TD Garden as a member of the Maintenance Crew. He worked all the games and concerts and even worked at the games at Fenway Park. Willie loved his job at TD Garden and made many friendships. Willie was a huge fan of old music records with one of his favorite recording artists being Neil Diamond. One of the thrills of his life was to meet Neil and actually sit down and have a beer with him. Willie was not a man to sit idle. He was an avid golfer and was a member of a golf league that played at the Hillview Golf Course in Reading. Willie was a “handy man” and there wasn’t a project he wouldn’t tackle from gardening, working around the yard or a simple or complex repair. Willie’s family was the most important part of his life. He had a wonderful marriage to his wife Dianne. He was a hands on dad two his two daughters Tracey and Jackie. He coached his daughter Tracey in soccer and softball and never missed a dance or cheering competition of Jackie’s. He was a devoted Papa to his two grandsons Maxwell and Tyler who brought him great joy. Willie was the beloved husband Dianne A. (Manoukian). Loving father of Tracey Merritt of Burlington and Jacqueline Marklis & her husband Jeff of Billerica. Proud grandfather of Maxwell & Tyler Marklis. Son of the late Otis & Marie (Woodward) Merritt. Brother of Joanne Gerry of FL, Joyce Hamilton of FL, Albert Merritt of Billerica, Shirley Andrews of FL, Janet Comer of FL and the late Barbara McGovern and Paul Merritt. Son-in-law of Julia T. Manoukian & the late James. Brother-in-law of John & Kathleen Manoukian and James & Lisa Manoukian. A visitation will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Wednesday, May 17 from 5-8 p.m. Graveside Services will be held at Pine Haven Cemetery, Bedford St., Burlington on Thursday, May 18 at 11 a.m. Relatives & friends respectfully invited to attend. Memorials in Willie’s name may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 26 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10004 www2.jdrf.org