William "Bill" T. Merchant

The memorial services celebrating and honoring the life of William “Bill” Theodore Merchant, 70, of Blackwell, will be held 2:00 P.M. Monday December 14, 2020 in the Blackwell, Cemetery under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home.

Bill was born January 20, 1950 to James E. Merchant and Zelma Merchant in Tulsa and passed from this life December 7, 2020 in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

He was raised and educated in Blackwell, Oklahoma graduating from Blackwell High School with the class of 1969 he then received his Associates degree in Applied Science in Diesel Mechanics from Oklahoma State University, Okmulgee. He married Jane Rowe July 21, 1978 and from this union came two children.  He then was a long and short haul truck driver throughout the Midwest. He then became a welder working for Conoco in 1977 and retired in 2005. He then returned to Conoco working as Supervisor until 2019. Throughout his life he continued to farm and raise cattle. He was a naturally gifted mechanic and always serviced and maintained all his vehicles and equipment. He loved chasing storms and was awarded certified storm chaser. He was famous for his renowned homemade Butterfinger Ice Cream that he made for every family gathering. He always enjoyed hanging out at the sale barn with his cousin Dee where they would have breakfast and she would pack him a lunch. All he ever wanted to do was to help people and that is how he lived his life. He loved his family especially his grandchildren with a great passion. He was famously known for always having a welding cap on and his big smile.

He is survived by his children Trisha Jackson and Husband Ryan, of Enid, Shaun Merchant and wife Ashleigh, of Mounds; grand children Kyle and Haylee Jackson, of Enid, Jeremy and Tyler Bartosh, of Mounds; one sister Ethel and Russel Martin, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother Jesse Merchant.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials be given in his name to the Blackwell FFA with Brown-Cumming Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.

Condolences and special memories may be shared with the family online at WWW.Brown-Cummings.com