William Marsh of Cadillac, Michigan, entered eternal life suddenly at his home on Friday, May 28, 2010. He was 86 years old.
Bill, as he was known, was born on April 6, 1924 in Ypsilanti, Michigan, to Ernest and Ida (Gabe) Marsh and moved to Manton as a young boy.
Bill served in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific on the destroyer U.S.S. Haggard during WWII and received 13 Battle Stars. After the war he served in the Naval Reserves for a total of 31 years of service to his country.
Bill married the former Emmaline Kimbel in Cadillac on March 31, 1946. They lived in Manton for the first 10 years of their marriage and in Cadillac since that time. Bill was employed at St. Johns Table Company in his early years. He worked in maintenance for the Cadillac Public School System, Kirtland Terrace and for the Wexford/Missaukee Intermediate School district retiring at the age of 74.
He was a life member of the Manton V.F.W. Post No. 7806 and a very active member of the Manton Area Retiree’s Center. He enjoyed spending time on Pleasant Lake, gardening, bow hunting, fishing, playing dominos, being outdoors, and going to the Manton Senior Center. He was an artist and enjoyed art and drawing.
Bill dearly loved all his family. One of his favorite things was going for hikes and walks with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Surviving in addition to his wife Emmy are his children, Beverly (Jerry) Proctor of Manton, Barbie Felsk and Mike Felsk of Cadillac, Brenda Smock of Allendale; brother and sisters, Virginia (Darrell) Paddock, Mary Paddock, Lolley Ahern and Richard Marsh, all of Manton; his good friend, Arthur Vandercook; grandchildren, Rick (Annette) Johnson, Terry (Kim) Vandercook, Chad (Cheri) Vandercook, Joshua (Jesse) Felsk, Sunshine (Brian) Stearns, Miranda (Mike) Grunow, Kaley and Sierra Smock and 11 great-grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by brothers and sisters, Edith Paddock, Beulah Harding, Russell, Harry, Irvin and Lawrence Marsh; a son-in-law, John Felsk; and a grandson, Justin William Felsk.
Visitation: Tuesday June 1, 2010 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at the Hall Funeral Chapel in Manton.
Funeral services: Wednesday, June 2, 2010 at 1 p.m. at the Hall Funeral Chapel in Manton. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery, Manton, with military honors by the Cadillac Honor Guard.