Merle Douglas Hall

Merle Hall, 90, of Astoria, former longtime resident of Naselle, Washington, passed away Feb 25, 2016. He was born Aug 4, 1925, in Raymond, to Doug and Elza Hall. He graduated from Raymond High School, where he was an exceptional athlete, earning varsity letters in three sports.

Merle enlisted in the Navy while still in high school, and served in the Pacific theater during World War II. He returned to Raymond after the war, and worked as service manager for Willapa Harbor Motors before moving to Naselle to own and operate O’Connor’s Inn.

Merle continued his athletic career playing basketball with the very successful Naselle Veterans team. After two years, he sold the inn, and along with Jack See, owned and operated Merle and Jack’s Richfield (ARCO) service station for more than 20 years. He ended his working career as maintenance superintendent for the Naselle School District, retiring in 1985.

Merle was the consummate family man. He did not miss a single state basketball tournament in which his children or grandchildren participated, and he drove literally thousands of miles to watch their sporting events.

Merle was an accomplished hunter, getting his deer for 63 straight years until he hung up his trusty rifle, the “Magpie,” at age 75.

In 1993 he built his wood shop, and was famous throughout the area for his intricately detailed projects including a doll house, birdhouses and vehicles, many of which he gave as gifts to his grandchildren.

Merle was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary Ann Hall, his wife Bobbitt Hall, daughter Merikay Hall and son Scott Hall. He is survived by his wife Judy Hall; sons Wayne (Rhonda) Hall, Chuck (Roxanne) Hendrickson and Doug (Jackie) Aske; daughters Shari Wood and Kelly (Mike) Wallace, Susan Aske and Laurie Bart; as well as 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Merle’s church family was also very important to him, as was his savior, Jesus Christ.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Astoria, Oregon, with a reception following. There will be a graveside service at Peaceful Hill Cemetery at 4 p.m. that afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Hall Memorial Scholarship Fund, or to Peaceful Hill Cemetery at the Bank of the Pacific.