Royce Merritt, 71, of Waco passed away at a local hospital on Saturday, January 28, 2006. Services will be at 10 a.m., Tues., Jan. 31 at Connally/Compton Funeral Directors Chapel with Donald Scott officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation with family and friends will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Mon., Jan. 30 at the funeral home. Royce Meredith was born on June 13, 1934 in Leroy, Texas to Fred and Lena Robertson Merritt. He married Shirley Ann Erck on February 22, 1952 in Waco. Royce was a member of Parkview Baptist Church, J.H. Gurley Masonic Lodge and Sons of the American Legion Post 121. He retired in 1992 after 40 years with TU Electric where he worked as a lineman and crew foreman. As a young man he was a talented steel guitar player and played in several local bands. An avid BAYLOR BEAR FAN who enjoyed watching them play all of their sports would certainly describe Royce! He also loved going to the Mall where he'd meet and visit with his friends. He'll be missed by the many who knew and loved him. Preceding Royce in death were his parents; brothers, Floyd, Donnie and Robert Merritt; and sister Beulah Moton. Surviving Royce are his wife of almost 54 years, Shirley Merritt of Waco; son, Jerry Merritt & wife Carla of Chalk Bluff; daughter, Sherry McCartney of Waco; granddaughters, Lacy Million & husband Tres of Austin and Kaycee & Danielle Rogers of Chalk Bluff; great-granddaughter, Noelle Million of Austin; brother, Billy Merritt of Waco; and numerous nieces & nephews. Honorary pallbearers are Ed Pirelo, Paul Christopher, Ernie Dolizilek, Hugh Lewis, Tim Williams, Jim Hughes, and Joe Scionti. Pallbearers will be Bill Erck, Ralph Getman, Larry Green, Bobby Merritt, Wayne Moton and Johnny Norman.