Sergeant U.S. Army Willie James Merchant, Sr. 71 of Cameron, NC formerly of Hempstead, New York passed away Thursday, May 10, 2018 in the VA Medical Center in Fayetteville, NC. Willie was born November 19, 1946 in Orville, Alabama to the late Madison and Pauline Merchant. He was preceded in death by his brother, Brady Merchant and sister, Janice Dreher. Funeral services will be Friday, May 18, 2018 at 10:30 am at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery on Ft. Bragg with military honors. Willie is survived by his sons, Willie James Merchant, Jr. and wife Keri, Richard A. Merchant, and Xavier A. Moore; daughter, Lamisha Furline; brothers, Charles, Madison "Buck", Jack, John and Loveless Merchant and sisters, Pauline Schultz, Ann Merchant, Ethel Payne and Maxine Spradley; grandchildren, James Elijah, Justice, Savannah, Aaliyah, Logan, Avah, and Jameer Moore; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and beloved dog, Bathsheba.