Robert Bob William Merritt, Sr.

Robert William Merritt, Sr., 78, of Orange, Texas died Wednesday, June 9, 2010, at Baptist Hospital in Orange.

Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, June 11, 2010, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Bayonne, New Jersey on January 3, 1932, Robert was the son of Florence Engroff and Oscar Merritt. He served in the Navy during the Korean War and was honorably discharged in 1956. After retiring from the City of Orange Police Department, he worked as manager of the MacArthur Drive Inn and Strand Theatre in Orange.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Clara Lee Burnett Merritt; parents, Florence and Oscar Merritt; and sons, Michael and Bobby Merritt.

Robert is survived by his sons, Keith Merritt and wife Marlene of Orange, William Billy Merritt of Las Vegas, NV; six grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and sisters, Audrey Beck of Florida, and Carolyn Christoffs of New Jersey.