William "Bill" Merrill, VP programming and production with CFCF-TV in Montreal, passed away suddenly on April 3 at the age of 61.

He worked for CTV affiliate CFCF12 for some 40 years and was genuinely admired and liked throughout the industry, by colleagues and independent filmmakers and producers. Over his long tenure, Merrill supported many Montreal-originated variety and factual productions, offering seed money and triggering licences that enable local shows to receive additional national funding and/or syndicated distribution.