Allan "Merrill" Wilson, 83, of North Vernon passed away on Friday, May 23, 2025, at Our Hospice of South-Central Indiana Inpatient Facility in Columbus.

Born on February 28, 1942, in Williamsburg, Kentucky, Merrill was the son of Lindsey and Carrie (Cadell) Wilson.

A beloved mechanic and racing legend, Merrill is leaving behind a legacy of hard work, passion, and camaraderie. For an incredible 60 years, he poured his heart and soul into his craft, fixing cars and helping friends and neighbors in the community. From the 1960s through the 1990s, he was a regular at the Twin Cities Raceway, where he made a name for himself as the track champion in both 1968 and 1969.

In addition to his racing achievements, Merrill owned a service station in Butlerville, Indiana, for 20 years, where he became a familiar and friendly face to many. He had a deep love for farming and gardening, finding joy in nurturing the land and tending to his plants. A proud member of the Moose Lodge, Merrill was known for his warm spirit and his ability to bring people together, often seen sharing a laugh and a cup of coffee with friends at McDonald's.

Survivors include his sons, Jeffery (Tammy) Wilson of North Vernon and Danny Wilson of Ohio; brothers, Dewayne Wilson and Kenneth Wilson of North Vernon, David Wilson Sr. and James Wilson of Columbus; sisters, Janice McNutt of Carmel, Phyllis Carney, Joyce Sweet and Linda Vance of North Vernon, Wilma Quick of Columbus, Diana Kirby of Henderson, Nevada and Mary Helm of Ft. Myers, Florida; grandchildren, Amanda (Jimmy) Lang, AJ (Ashley) Wilson, Shayne (Rachel) Wilson, Ceara (Layton) Bradenburg and Sydney Burnett; and ten great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Friends and family will gather to celebrate Merrill's life at a later date. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Sawyer-Pickett Funeral and Cremation Services of North Vernon.