Merton was born at Phillips, Franklin, Maine, on 24 August 1913. He was the son of
Ashley John Wing and
Rosie Lillian Dill. He married
Loretta Jane Brackett Whitney at Livermore Falls, Androscoggin, Maine, on 23 April 1955. Merton was divorced from
Loretta Jane Brackett Whitney at adultery, Farmington, Franklin, Maine, on 2 November 1972. He married
Mary Jane Calden Goldsmith at Phillips, Franklin, Maine, on 20 October 1974. He died at cardio-renal failure, Waterville, Kennebec, Maine, on 16 December 1979. His body was interred on 19 December 1979 at Phillips, Franklin, Maine, at Evergreen Cemetery.