Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
William Merchant Obituary
BAGDAD
William "Bill" Merchant, age 72, of Bagdad, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025, at his residence. Born on Feb. 22, 1953, in Shelby County, he was the son of the late James Leonard and Bonnie Reasor Merchant. He was a member of the Centenary United Methodist Church in Shelbyville. He was a graduate of the University of Kentucky where he was a member of the Farm House Fraternity. For over 40 years, he was an owner and operator of the Many Oaks Nursery, providing and shipping plant material to purchasers throughout the country. Additionally, during those years, he worked as machinist and skillful gunsmith, making various parts for guns. He even obtained a patent on his rear sight assembly. He was a member of the International Plant Propagators Society and the Kentucky State Rifleman and Pistol Association. He also had a great love and appreciation for animals. Hunting, reading books and spending time with his family and his much-loved dog, Lily Mae, brought much enjoyment to his life.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Ellen Armstrong.
His survivors include his wife, of 38 years, Breneda Merchant of Bagdad; his son, Glenn Howerton and his wife, Laurie of China Grove, N.C.; his sister, Kate Merchant and her wife, Lisa of New Albany, Ind.; his two grandchildren, Gracie Howerton and Haley Sifford and her husband, Cole; his one great-grandchild, Mallory; his nephew, Eric Armstrong; his niece, Amy Kreier and her husband, Scott; and his beloved dog, Lily Mae.
Memorial services will be conducted at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at the Christiansburg Baptist Church with the Deacon Todd Schrader officiating. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. on Tuesday.
Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Shelby County Public Library, 309 Eighth Street, Shelbyville, KY 40065.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Hall-Taylor Funeral Home of Shelbyville and online condolences may be expressed at www.halltaylorfuneralhomes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Merchant
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in William Merchant's name
Memorial Events
for William Merchant
Oct
28
Funeral services provided by:
Hall-Taylor Funeral Home - Shelbyville1185 Main Street, Shelbyville, KY 40065
How to support William's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor William Merchant's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
