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Date Posted: 19:41:50 05/11/02 Sat
Author: jim straight
Subject: Willie Merrill

I am saddened to learn that Willie Merrill, author of a really great booklet, "Those Elusive Gold Nuggets," recently passed away, it was cancer. Willie was a serious nuggetshooter who started back in the 1970's using military type mine detectors. I knew he was being treated for cancer but thought he was recovering/or had won out.

Several months ago I left a message on his answering machine to set a date (as I had lost a bet with him and owed him a cup of coffee). Now I know why.

If you have a copy of his booklet; keep it. If you find a copy to buy; buy it. Willie wrote from a standpoint of having exceptional skill and knowledge which he acquired first hand over the years.

Back in 1984 both Willie and I happened to self-publish our booklets--- mine was the original version of Follow the Drywashers--- and by coincidence both Willie and I sold them locally such as to the original Foothill Prospecting Supply within the Foothill Bldg. Emporium. On the cover of Willie's booklet was a photo of the 10 oz. nugget. I am proud to say I have a rare copy of Willie's self-printed booklet with his autograph in blue ink; he gave it to me and he got an early self-print of mine in exchange. This was back about January, or so, of 1985 as I recall.

White's saw and liked Willie's, and published it as P/N 600-0187. (the 0187 may be the date?) I continued to self-print and sold locally with some mail orders. Then Don Barthel, the well-know author of a series of "how-to" booklets on beach detecting started to distribute my booklets and it happened that Dennis Robinson of Mountain Publication bought a copy from Don, Dennis liked it, and then took over publishing mine about 1988.

The rest is history. I'm glad to have known Willie and that we were friends. If anyone else has more to add regarding Willie and his ability to find "those elusive gold nuggets," which were not elusive to Willie as he found a great many nice ones, small to large; please post.

Sadly, Jim Straight

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