SOUTH PARIS – Ralph W. Merrill, 96, passed away on Feb. 3, 2019, at the Maine Veterans Home. He was born in South Paris on Nov. 3, 1922, to Henry J. and Dora Stevens Merrill. Ralph married Elizabeth “Betty” Moore on Oct. 28, 1943. He was a World War II Veteran with the United States Air Force, a Tech Sergeant and Parachute Rigger, drafted in 1942 and discharged in 1945. He was in the Pacific Theater, India and China. After being discharged, Ralph worked at Lord Tanning Company and over 40 years for Cullinan Oil and Gendron Oil Companies.

Ralph was a people person, He and Betty very much enjoyed having company and coffee. He was a storyteller and loved a good laugh. He and Betty traveled to the UK and Ireland a number of times and especially enjoyed a trip through Europe. He especially loved being a parent, grandparent and great-grandparent.

After retirement he enjoyed having coffee at Willies Garage in Buckfield on Thursdays and breakfast with friends at Market Square on Tuesdays. After Betty passed, he had coffee at Wal Mart with new and old friends. In October 2017, Ralph was a guest of Honor Flight Maine. He was very impressed to have been given this honor and the respect Veterans were shown.

He is survived by his daughter, Jill Gay and husband, Ernest; grandsons, Richard Gay and Sue Morton, Robert Gay and Sarah Briggs; great-granddaughters, Julia and Ashlee Gay; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by brothers, Clarence, Lawrence and Henry Merrill, sisters, Greta Caldwell, Helen Decato and Nina Merrill. Family and friends may call at Chandler Funeral Home, 45 Main Street, South Paris on Thursday, February 7, from 6-8 p.m. A funeral service will be held on Friday February 8, at 1 p.m., at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be shared with his family atwww.chandlerfunerals.com

In lieu of flowers those who wish, donations in his memory may be made to

Honor Flight Maine,

P.O. Box 1770,

Portland, ME 04101-1770.

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