Merrill was born on March 15, 1936, in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah to Walter Griffith Douglas and Gladys Irene Rupp Douglas. He married Anita Perry on December 22, 1958.

Merrill Douglas made his mark in football as both a player and as an official. He played football at Granite and Olympus High Schools, earning all-state fullback honors in his junior and senior seasons. That earned him a chance to play college football at the University of Utah, where he was All-Conference his junior and senior years and the conference scoring leader in 1957. Those efforts earned him the right to play in the East-West Shrine Game in 1957. From there, he played professional football for five years with the Chicago Bears, the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles. After his playing career, Douglas was a long-time NFL referee. Merrill was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame in 1988. Merrill also served as a Salt Lake County Sheriff after his NFL football career until his retirement.

Merrill is survived by his Wife – Anita Perry Douglas. Brother – Wally (Suzie) Douglas Children – Scott Douglas, Maria (Troy) Cude, Rick Douglas, and Derik Douglas. Grandchildren – Whitney (Craig) Harris, Natalie (Aaron) Drewery, Joshua (Brooke) Cude, Aubrey (Colby) Siddoway, and Ashley (Kash) Johnson and 15 great grandchildren.

Merrill is preceded in death by Siblings – Donna Spanton, Lola Harper, Sonny Douglas, Granddaughter – Primrose Drewery.

Celebration of Life will be held on March 29, 2025, at 10885 Pampus Drive (831 E), Sandy, Utah from 2:00 – 5:00 pm.

Interment will be at Memorial Mountain View Cemetery.