LEWISTON – Ronald Avery Merrill, 78, of Naples Road, Harrison, died Tuesday morning, Oct. 12, at Central Maine Medical Center.

He was born Dec. 13, 1925, in Casco a son of Lewis and Alice Merrill and attended local schools. On his 17th birthday he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served honorably in the Pacific Fleet during World War II.

After his Naval service, he worked at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in Connecticut, for 19 years. After retiring from Pratt & Whitney he operated his own construction company in Maine.

Mr. Merrill enjoyed hunting, ice fishing, dancing, bacci ball and especially golf. In 1979, he was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Virginia Merrill.

Surviving are his daughter, Marilyn Merrill and her husband, Rod, two sons, Woody Merrill and his wife, Debbie, and Brian Merrill, all of Harrison; three brothers, Marvin and his wife, Nat of Wallingford, Conn., Donald and his wife, Elaine, of Casco, Lee and his wife, Barbara, of Casco; his sister, Audrey Galarneau, of Casco; five grandsons, Stacy Worster, Scott Worster, Jeffrey Worster, Nathan Merrill, Eli Merrill all of Harrison; five great-grandchildren, Kasey and Zack Worster, of McComb, Ohio, Katie, J.J. and Dillon Worster all of Harrsion; longtime friend, Ellie Smith, of Norway; and his mother-in-law, Mary Fogg, of Casco.