Lynn William Merrill

Lynn William Merrill, age 100, of Medford, died Friday, July 11, 2008 at his home.

A graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, July 17, 2008 at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Grants Pass. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Lynn was born April 13, 1908 in Thatcher, Arizona Territory to Morgan Henry Merrill & Sarah Vandetta (Johnson) Merrill. He was the second youngest of five children. During his childhood he lived in Cochise, Thatcher and Bisbee, Arizona. He played football, basketball and baseball in high school but in his senior year it was necessary for him to drop out of high school to work in the mines of Bisbee to help support his family. He moved to Los Angeles, California to learn to fly with hopes of having a career as a pilot in the United States Air Force. When the depression began Lynn returned to Bisbee, Arizona to help his family. In September 1933 he enlisted in the United States Army and for two years served at March Field near Riverside, California. Throughout the years Lynn worked for Douglas Aircraft, Lockheed Aircraft and Aircraft Tank Service as an aircraft mechanic. On October 1, 1939, in Roscoe, California, Lynn married June Ione Will, who preceded him in death. They lived in California, Arizona and Oregon throughout their 68 years together. After retiring in 1969, Lynn and June moved to Grants Pass, Oregon and remained there until moving to Medford in 2001.

Lynn was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Medford First Ward and formerly of Grants Pass Third Ward.

He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Lynda and Fred Lisonbee of Ashland, two granddaughters, Melissa Lisonbee of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Melina Lisonbee of
Seattle, Washington.