William "Will" Noah Merritte

William Noah “Will” Merritte, 19, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2026. He was born on June 5, 2006, to parents Billy Merritte and Kristin Kirby and big sister Elizabeth Merritte, and from the very beginning he brought joy, laughter, and a bright, unmistakable spirit into the world.

Will attended Park Place Christian Academy from kindergarten through his graduation in 2024. During his years at PPCA, he was a proud member of the varsity football, basketball, and track teams and graduated with Honors. His school community, teammates, and coaches were an important part of his life, and he formed friendships that shaped and supported him throughout his youth.

Will was a member of Park Place Baptist Church, where he professed his faith in Christ and was baptized in September of 2015. His faith, his church family, and the relationships he built there remained meaningful to him throughout his life.

A talented and hardworking young man, Will worked as an HVAC technician and dreamed of one day owning his own HVAC company. He loved fixing things, helping others, and putting his hands to work in ways that made life easier for the people around him. Will was known for his generous heart and his deep affection for his family and friends. He loved to laugh and had a gift for making others laugh with his quick wit and sarcastic humor. His presence filled rooms, lifted spirits, and left lasting memories with everyone who knew him.

He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, A. A. “Buddy” and Joan Merritte, and his maternal grandparents, Gerald and Nicolena Kirby.

Left to cherish his memory are his mother, Kristin Kirby; father, Billy Merritte and his sister, Elizabeth Merritte as well as aunt Nena Merritte Klein, uncle Mark Merritte, cousin Jacob Williams, uncle and aunt Clinton and Marti Kirby, and cousins Alexander and Jackson Kirby. He has many friends that will miss him deeply as well.

Visitation will be held at Park Place Baptist Church in Pearl, MS on Thursday, April 2, 2026, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., with the funeral service to follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow the services at Crestview Memorial Gardens in Brandon, MS. Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS is handling arrangements.

Will’s life was a gift—full of energy, humor, kindness, and love. He will be deeply missed and forever cherished by those who knew him.