Obituary of W. Merrill Norris

W. Merrill Norris, age 88, of NC Norris Road, Boone, passed away Tuesday morning, January 23, 2018 at The Foley Center. Born August 11, 1929 in Watauga County, he was a son of H. Earl and Mary Lillian Lyons Norris. Mr. Norris was an Army veteran, serving during WWII. He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church. Merrill retired from IRC in Boone. He enjoyed farming, cutting wood and planting the annual vegetable gardens, but mostly, he loved morning fellowship with his friends at Hardees. Mr. Norris is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sarah Mast Norris; daughter, Shannon Hawkins and husband, Jason of Boone; grandson, Bryson Hawkins; sisters, Clara Pennington of Boone, and Betsy Howell and husband, Tom, of Lexington, Ohio; and sisters-in-law, Katherine Norris of Boone and Lorae Norris of Wilkesboro. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Dennis (Billy) Norris and Willis Norris; and parents, H. Earl and Mary Lillian Lyons Norris. Funeral services for W. Merrill Norris will be conducted Friday afternoon, January 26th, at 2 o�clock, at Bethany Lutheran Church, officiated by Pastor Laura Weant. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 o�clock, prior to services, at the church. Entombment will follow in the Bethany Lutheran Church columbarium. Memorials may be made to the Bethany Lutheran Church, 1030 Big Hill Rd., Boone, NC, 28607, to Medi Home Health and Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, NC 28607, or to a charity of the donor�s choice. Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Norris family.