James “Jim” Merriman, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passedaway Sunday, December 16, 2018 surrounded by his loving family.James was born June 25, 1922 in Sweetwater, Texas to Theodore Parr Merriman and Jo RuthLasater. They later moved to Lubbock, Texas where he graduated from Lubbock High Schoolin 1940. He played left guard on the Lubbock Westerners football team, which won the StateChampionship in 1939. After two years of college at Texas Tech, James joined the Naval AirTraining Program, finishing flight school at Corpus Christi, Texas. He joined the Marine Corpsand was assigned to Squadron VMB-413 where he flew PBJ’s (B-25). He spent most of 1944 inthe Solomon Islands in the South Pacific where he flew 31 missions. Fifty years later, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service to our country in World War II.He was an authentic American hero, saving the life of a fellow crew member after setting theplane down in the ocean. He swam into the plane to free his crew mate who was trapped inhis parachute. Jim never spoke of his deeds, but was remembered and honored by the menwhose lives he saved. Jim married Bettye Louise Colbert in 1945, then completed college with a B.A. in CivilEngineering at the University of Texas in 1949. He began his 36 year career with Humble OilCo., now Exxon Mobil, which took the family to Midland, New Orleans, Houston, Los Angeles,Alaska, Malaysia and Japan. The design and construction of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline was hisfavorite and most challenging project. Jim and Bettye raised 3 children, and enjoyed tennis, golf, and RV travel until her death in
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- An adventurer at heart, Jim then sailed the South Pacific for several months with his
son and daughter-in-law.In 1993, he met Billie F. Bullock Taulman, and they married on January 1, 1994. They enjoyedRV travel and spent time on the road sightseeing, often with friends. They played bridge andgolf, and were active in the Exxon/Mobil retirees group for many years. Jim and Billie arelong-time members of the Keystone Sunday School class at St. Luke’s United MethodistChurch. In various locations, he served on church building committees and contributed inmany ways, including singing in the choir.James is survived by his wife Billie, and his three children, James C. Merriman and wife, AnitaParsons Merriman of Santa Barbara, CA; Robert P. Merriman and partner Sabino Nava, Jr. ofWestminster, CO; Cynthia Nussey and husband Dr. Gary A. Nussey of San Angelo, TX; stepson, LTC Ottie C. Taulman and wife Lisa Taulman of Lakehills, TX, eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.The family will receive guests from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 19, 2018 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 20, 2018 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.,
