FRANKFORT-SCHUYLER - William Devaltson Merrick, age 83, of Frankfort-Schuyler, NY, died on Monday, June 30, 2014, at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare, in New Hartford, NY. The eldest of a family of seven children, William was born on June 8, 1931, in Ilion, NY, a son of Frank Kidd and Mildred Esther (Sterling) Merrick. While he was still a very young child, William's parents moved to Pasadena, CA. This is where William and his six younger siblings spent the early days of childhood. As the eldest son, William treasured for the rest of his life, memories of those years in Pasadena. In 1945, the Merrick family returned to central New York, and William ultimately graduated from Richfield Springs Jr.-Sr. High School. Many years later, he served as President of that school district's PTA. In 1968, he was married to Dolores Fragale. William, a friendly, convivial individual, enjoyed a successful lifetime career in retail sales. He retired from ZCMI, a large retail company in Salt Lake City, UT, after more than twenty years of award-winning service. William loved most of all, his home and family. His artistic eye and thorough enjoyment of gardening created an environment of beauty wherever he lived. As for his family, nothing satisfied him more than being surrounded by children and, of course, his fun and funny siblings. His sweet demeanor and great sense of humor will be sorely missed by all his family, as well as his many friends. William is survived by his loved and loving wife, Dolores (Fragale) Merrick; his son, W. Neil Merrick, of Brooklyn, NY; his daughter and son-in-law, Janice L. and Steven Hill, of New Port Richey, FL; and son, Alan and Leisa Merrick, of Myrtle Beach, SC. Also surviving are brothers and sisters-in-law, Frank S. and Rose Merrick, of Mohawk, NY, Walter L. and Roberta Merrick, of Rome, NY, Garry R. and Deanna Merrick, of Farmville, VA, Wayne R. and Pamela Merrick, of Poughkeepsie, NY; his sister and brother-in-law, Orpha and I. Cleeo Wright, of Salt lake City, UT; and sister-in-law, Joan Merrick, of West Winfield, NY. William has grandchildren, Brandon, Jordan, and Nathan, as well as great-grandchildren, Keira and Audrina. He also has cousins and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Frank and Mildred Merrick; and a brother, Larry R. Merrick. Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 8, 2014, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Gros Blvd., in Herkimer, NY. Visitation at the church will be Tuesday, July 8, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. prior to the service. Anyone wishing to share a memory of William, or add to his online memorial, may go to: www.applegateandday.com In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to the Schuyler Vol. Fire Dept., 120 Newport Road, Utica, NY 13502. Envelopes will be available at the visitation and service at the church. The Merrick family has entrusted William's arrangements and supervision to the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home's newly reopened location at 102 West St., Ilion, NY, Don Applegate, Funeral Director.