Kenneth Dalton Merritt

Kenneth Dalton Merritt 81, former Sheriff of Wood County, of Waverly, WV passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2017 surrounded by his loving family at the Carehaven of Pleasants County, Belmont, WV. He was born July 4, 1935 in Purgitsville, WV, a son of the late George A. and Alma S. Wilkins Merritt. Ken attended Hampshire County schools and WVU of Parkersburg. He was a proud Korean War Veteran of the US Navy, where he served on the U.S.S. Boxer Air Craft Carrier. Ken was a life member of the NRA, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Fraternal Order of Police, the Marine Corp. League, was past president of the West Virginia Sheriff's Association, and was a member of the Union Valley Baptist Church. He had owned and operated a service station in Romney, WV, and had worked at Allegany Ballistics, and Kaiser Aluminum in Ripley, WV, before starting his career as a public servant. Ken started his law enforcement career as a West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Conservation Officer in the early 1970's with the WV Department of Natural Resources. After his retirement from the DNR, he started his Wood County Sheriff career serving four terms as sheriff and serving a term as Wood County Commissioner, where he was known as a servant, friend, and comrade to the people of Wood County and his fellow officers. Ken is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Linda Bothwell Merritt; one daughter, Lenita Babcock (Darreck) of Waverly; six sons, Tim Merritt (Cheryl) of Princeton, WV, David Merritt and Dwayne Merritt both of Ripley, Mike Merritt (Sue) of Parkersburg, Jeff Merritt of Ripley, and Bryan Merritt of Waverly; one brother, Merlyn Merritt (Shireen) of Virginia; one sister, Velma Jean Wood of Augusta, WV; eight grandchildren, Austin, Bethany, Cooper, Carson, Braylea, Debria, Dominic, and India and numerous nieces and nephews. Ken loved his Country, the American Flag, his family, “especially his grandchildren”, his extended family and his many wonderful friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Gerald Merritt; and his first wife, Janet French Merritt. Funeral services will be held 6:00 p.m. Sunday, March 26, 2017 at the Williamstown High School Gymnasium with Pastor William Law officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday at the High School Gymnasium with law enforcement honors. Burial will be at the convenience of the family with military rites at the Shilo Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Wood County Commission, #1 Court Square. Room 205, Parkersburg, WV 26101, for Wood County K-9 Unit (Ken K-9) in Ken's memory. Lambert-Tatman Funeral Home and Cremation Services 3005 Grand Central Ave. Vienna W. Va. is honored to assist the Merritt family with their arrangements.