Thural grew up in the Alabama country side, 1 of eight children. One of Thural’s least favorite chores was milking the cow. After returning from school, the older children were given a quick snack, then went off to the fields to work.
After moving to town, Thural went to work at the newspaper. Thural enlisted in the Air Force and was inducted at Brookley AFB. He was based in Anchorage, Denver, and Albuquerque.
In 1954, he married Lela Helen Lowrey Frye. Thural adopted Helen’s 3 children, Helen Ruth, Robert Lawrence, and Cynthia Gayle. William Thural, Jr was born in 1956.
In the air force, Thural began being called William or Bill. Bill was honorably discharged for the purpose of continuing his education. The family moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Helen did not enjoy the humid weather in Alabama, so the family moved back to Albuqerque. Bill began working for Standard Oil at that time. Helen passed away in 1961, leaving Bill with four children to raise.
Oddly, despite Bill’s abhorence of cow milking during his childhood, he obtained a milk cow while living in Albuquerque. He met Candace Wilson in late 1962, and the two were married in February 1963, and their fist child, Tamara Jane, was born in November of that year. In 1965 the family moved to Dallas, Texas, to pursue education opportunities.
Bill began selling carpet and tile and continued in that business until he passed away. The second child of Bill and Candy was born in October 1966, John Houston, and their third child, Diane Cecile, was born in 1974. The family moved to Plano and stayed there until all the children finished high school.
Football is a big deal in Texas, and Bill became an avid fan of the Plano Wildcats from the family’s earliest days in Texas. Bill had “plans” every Friday night! He continued attending the Wildcat games with his longtime friend, Glen Collins, until recent years.
In 2001, Bill developed a squamus cell carcinoma in his jaw. After surgery to remove the cancer, reconstructive surgery, 21 days in ICU, radiation treatments, and months in a rehab facility, Bill returned to work. His family is grateful for the extra 18 years with Bill.
He remained close to his siblings throughout his life. They met every 2 years for a reunion. Bill spoke to his brothers and sisters often, especially Charles after every “Crimson Tide” game.
Bill is survived by four siblings, Ima Green of Wynnewood, Oklahoma, Charles Merriman of Mountain Center, California, Loraine Miller of Eustis, Florida, and Betty Faye Haskew of Mobile, Alabama. He is also survived by two of his step-children and all of his children, and 14 grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of William Thural Merriman please visit our Sympathy Store.
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