William B. Merritt

Decorated WWII Army veteranCONCORD, N.H. - William B. Merritt, 87, died Friday, Oct. 23 at Pleasant View Center, Concord, N.H. He was born Feb. 26, 1922 in Lynn and grew up in that area, graduating from Lynn English High School before moving to Swampscott.William was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps. He served as a ball turret gunner on B-17 bombers in the 8th Air Force for two tours, during which time he flew 37 combat missions over Germany. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters and three Bronze Battle Stars.After the war, he earned his college degree at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine and began his career in the insurance industry. He retired from the Prudential Insurance Company, Boston Office, in 1982, having held the position of Vice President of Underwriting and Claims.A serious ski enthusiast for over 50 years, starting post-war at Stowe, Vt., he happily spent his retirement skiing Sugarloaf Mountain in Carrabassett Valley, Maine, and he spent his summers at his home on Long Lake in Harrison, Maine.He leaves his wife of 66 years, Helen Merritt; a son, James B. Merritt of Marblehead, a daughter, Adrienne Bennett and her husband David of Concord, N.H. and two grandchildren, Nicole and Kyle Bennett of Concord, N.H. He is survived by his sister Sally Rappoli and several nieces and nephews.Service information: Internment will be today at 2:30 p.m. at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Bosawen, N.H. Arrangements are being handled by the New Hampshire Cremation Society.