TERREBONNE and LAFOURCHE Parishes, La.

OBITUARIY for UTLEY, MERRILL HOLLAND, JR.  

Submitted by: Louis Lavedan

Source: Landry’s Funeral Home, Lafourche Parish, La.

Died 7 July, 2013

=============================================================================
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.shtml
=============================================================================

UTLEY, MERRILL HOLLAND, JR.
(Died July 7, 2013)

==========
A photo is available for this file. Please go to
http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafourche/obits/dateobits/2013/f1307.htm 
and click on the name of interest.
==========

Merrill Holland Utley Jr. 87, of Thibodaux, died Sunday July 7 2013. 

He was born to the late Merrill Sr. and Martha Withers Utley, Aug. 26, 1925 in 
Jackson , Miss. 

Mr. Utley was a Navy veteran who received a BS in Electrical Engineering from 
Mississippi State University in addition to attending Tulane University in New 
Orleans. 

He is survived by his wife Shirley Utley also of Thibodaux. 

Merrill relocated to Leeville, La. after graduation where he worked for 15 
years. As Chevron's transportation superintendent, Mr. Utley became 
instrumental in the development of Louisiana's oil patch as chronicled in the 
book "Cajun Mariners" by Woody Falgoux. 
Mr. Utley is credited as one of the key personalities involved in the design of 
the oilfield workboat or "Botruc" used all over the world today. 
In 1964 Merrill and wife Martha "Sowell" moved to Thibodaux where he owned and 
was C.E.O of Delta Well Logging Services retiring in the early 90's. 
In Merrill's later years he would be known for his work in bringing the Acadian 
Cultural Center to Thibodaux which housed the Martha S Utley Library, Jean 
Lafitte National Historical Park and the Thibodaux Playhouse Inc. 

Merrill was a member of St. John’s Episcopal church, Rotary Club, a Freemason, 
traveler and an avid pilot. He was the 1982 recipient of the Francis M. Durel 
Award given by the Thibodaux VFW for outstanding service to the community. 

Merrill was preceded in death by his wife Martha Sowell Utley and is survived 
by three children: Martha Holland Utley, of New York, Merrill Utley III and 
Robert Utley both of Thibodaux; He also is survived by five grandchildren, one 
great-grandson and three sisters. 

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out to St. 
Johns Episcopal church or the Thibodaux Friends of the Library. Visitation will 
be Thursday July11 at St John’s Episcopal Church in Thibodaux beginning at 
9a.m. with services following at 11a.m. and again at the Wright-Ferguson 
Funeral Home in Clinton, Miss. on Saturday July13, also at 9a.m. 

Burial will be at 11a.m. at the Lakewood Memorial Park Cemetery in Clinton 
Miss.

U.S. Veteran
======================