Willie "Wil" Levert Merrick is the first in a family of three children born to Robert and Eliza Lewis on February 1, 1961 in Tuscaloosa, AL. Theirs was a military family, which is the reason behind his graduaton from Heidelberg American High School in Heidelberg, Germany. Rev. Merrick obtained his B.S. degree in Education from the University of Alabama in his hometown of Tuscaloosa in 1983. He has 12 hours of couseling training from Boston University and is a Supreme Court certified Community Mediator. He is also a Certified Public Manager, which is a professional designation, through the State of Florida. Willie Merrick settled in Tallahassee in 1992 after having served nine years in the United States Army. He was honorably discharged as a Captain.

In November, 1995 he joined New Mt. Zion AME Church and in May, 1996 he preached his Initial Sermon. Rev. Merrick was ordained an Itinerant Deacon in August, 1999 and in August, 2000 he was sent to serve the congregation of Galilee AME Church where eight diligent members make up the proud body of this humble house of worship.

Rev. Merrick is currently employed with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services where he is a Research and Training Specialist. He is also enrolled at the Asbury Theological Seminary based in Orlando, FL where he is seeking a Masters of Divinity degree. He and wife Wanda have five children, with two still remaining in the home. May our Heavenly Father continue to bless this energetic man of God and his loving family.