Merlin "Shorty" Wilson

Merlin Leon Wilson, known by most as “Shorty,” passed away at his home on March 16, 2021. He was born in Gainesville, Texas on August 11, 1939 to Herbert Leon Wilson and Dorothy Mae Robison.

Merlin married the love of his life, Lorene Haverkamp, in February, 1961 in Gainesville. They recently celebrated 60 years of marriage. Three sons were born of this marriage. Kenny, Randy, and Donny were called “the little kids” when they were young. The little kids joined Lorene’s two children from a previous marriage; Sharon and Lacy Shotwell. Merlin also had two children from a previous marriage; Thomas Dean and Kathy Wilson.

He worked at various types of jobs throughout his life. He worked in construction for a number of years and was a partner in the Tri-County Construction Company. He and Lorene were owner/operators of the Colonial Restaurant and Catering for nearly fifty years.

Merlin loved coaching little league baseball during the time his sons were growing up. He enjoyed visiting with people and telling stories – some of which were more than likely tall Texas tales. He liked to cut up with people and had a good sense of humor. He enjoyed helping family and friends, especially the elderly. He was a long-time member of Tabernacle Baptist Church and loved his church family. He really liked attending church and missed being able to go when his and Lorene’s health started to fail.

He was preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Dorothy Mae and Tom Elliott, father and stepmother, Herb and Velma Wilson, sisters Veda Simmons and Dorothy Jean Elliott, son Thomas Wilson, and stepbrother Rick Adams.

He is survived by his wife, Lorene, sons Kenny Wilson and wife Betty, Randy Wilson and wife Robin, Donny Wilson and wife Darla, daughter Kathy Thomas, stepdaughter Sharon Forney and husband Dean, stepson Lacy Shotwell and wife Karen, brother Jerry Don Wilson, brother-in-law Lenny Haverkamp and wife Joan, stepbrothers Tommy Adams, Glenn Adams, and Wallace Adams, stepsisters Susan Means and Mary Burkhart, sixteen grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, and one great great granddaughter. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and many friends. Merlin (Shorty) will be missed by his family and friends.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, March 19, 2021 at the Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home. The funeral will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at the First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, Rev. Hollis Parsons officiating, under the direction of Geo. J. Carroll & Son Funeral Home, with interment at Fairview Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Damon Foster, Kasey Kuykendall, Kirk Wilson, Kinzy Wilson, Doug Shotwell, Brian Shotwell, Dustin Wilson, and Kayden Luscomb. Honorary pallbearers are Colten Wilson, Brent Foster, DJ Thomas, Bobby Riley, and Reid Riley.