Willie Merchant Jr. was born on January 16, 1988, in Manning, South Carolina to Willie Merchant Sr. and Lavaette Barnes Eldridge. Willie received his formal education in the Maryland school system and completed his education in South Carolina. He was self-employed as an automobile mechanic. Willie, at an early age attended St. Jude Catholic Church in Sumter, South Carolina, as well as Living Water Church in Columbia, South Carolina. Within these churches is where he learned of Christ. Willie, after a long illness, was called from this life to rest on July 11,2025, in Sumter, South Carolina. He leaves to cherish his memories his father, Willie (Diana) Merchant Sr. of Manning, South Carolina; mother, Lavaette Barnes Eldridge of Maryland; three brothers, William (Bae-Bae) Merchant of Maryland, Dakota (Cody) Merchant of Manning, South Carolina, and Earl (Kia) Pearson of Cleveland, Ohio; six sisters, Amber Merchant of Florence, South Carolina, Heaven Merchant of Manning, South Carolina, Crystal Merchant of Maryland, Carlisha Merchant of Maryland, Elizabeth Hice of Greenville, South Carolina, and Tajuana Stukes of Sumter, South Carolina; grandmother, who was very dear to him, Charlene C. Smith; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.