Samuel Wood Merrill

Preston, Idaho - - - Samuel W. Merrill

Preston - Samuel W. Merrill, 92, passed away day June 7, 2011, at the Heritage Home Assisted Living Center in Preston, Idaho of causes incident to age. He was born Oct. 5, 1918, the eighth child of nine children and the second son, born to Mary Laura Hansen and Olonzo David Merrill at Richmond, Utah. He met and then married Virginia Callan, a beautiful Dayton, Idaho girl in the Logan LDS Temple on June 12, 1947.
Sam's father was a farmer in Richmond and some of Sam's earliest memories were being in the fields, threshing grain and herding and milking cows. He attended high school in Richmond where he was active in football, drama, and had interests in art. He received the Citizenship Award during
his Senior year. In 1937 he enrolled at Utah State University and received a football scholarship. In 1941, he was chosen "All Conference Tackle." Sam graduated from USU in 1942 with a BS Degree in education and had a love for art.
In 1942 and 1943 Sam was engaged in flight training under the Civilian Pilot and War Training Programs. In 1943 and 1944 he was an instructor, training cadets in a Pilot Training Program. He was discharged from the Army Air Corp in 1945. Sam began a long career in aviation at the Preston Airport and was
manager for several years. In 1948, he became a partner in a flying business, training pilots and after 1954, the bulk of the business was in aerial application of pesticides. In 1956 he was hired as an Aeronautics Instructor at USU and after earning his Master's Degree in 1965, he became an Associate Professor of Aeronautics. He was also an aircraft inspector for the Federal Aviation Agency for many years.

In 1972, Sam wrote and published a book, "Fluid Power for Aircraft," which was adopted by several schools throughout the United States and some other countries for use in their curriculums. He received the Rocky Mountain Safety Award in 1973 as a result of this effort. Sam also compiled a manual of FAA inspection regulations and other aviation guides related to maintenance. He printed these at his own company, Rocky Mountain Publishing. These books were distributed and used by aviation inspectors and maintenance specialists across the U.S.
Sam has been active in giving service in the LDS Church and community affairs. Many winter nights in the 1950s and '60s he would stay up for several hours and prepare ice skating ponds for the City of Preston. He was also an active member of the Franklin County Search and Rescue for several years.
Sam always enjoyed "do-it-yourself projects" and had a love for building the family cabin at Palisades, Idaho since the early 1960s. He also loved fishing, hunting and spending the summers at the cabin with family members whom he loved very much. After retirement from a 30-year career at USU, he enjoyed spending winter months at a home he purchased in St. George where he renewed his art skills. He completed many lovely paintings.
Sam has been an inspiration to his family, friends, associates and colleagues with a life dedicated to hard work, service, and generosity. He is survived by his wife, Virginia, of Preston; a son, Robert S. (Wendy) Merrill, of Preston; a daughter, Marcia Merrill, of Pocatello; one grandson, Christopher R. Merrill, Lewiston; and a sister, Julia Berryessa, California.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant grandson, Richard Callan Merrill, and sisters Georgia Merrill Allen, Olive Merrill Fillmore, Linda Merrill Peterson Gould, Sarah Merrill Hobbs, Harriet
Merrill Spendlove, Alice Merrill McBride, a brother, Stanley Merrill and half-brothers David and Casper Merrill.
A one-hour open visitation will be held on June 9 from 10:30 11:30 a.m. at Webb Funeral Home 1005 South 800 East in Preston. Graveside services will be conducted at approximately noon at the Dayton, Idaho Cemetery with Bishop Lynn Eskelson presiding and conducting. Interment will also be in the Dayton Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Webb Mortuary in Preston.
Memories and condolences may be sent to the family at www.webbmortuary.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the local Franklin County Search and Rescue organization.
The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Lynn Eskelson, the staff at Heritage Home, and Access Home Health Care. A special thank you goes to Thelma Roley of Access Home Health for her many hours of loving care of Sam during the past two-plus years.