Willard Marble

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Willard (Bill) Marble, age 87, passed away on Jan. 16, 2021, in Springfield Missouri.

He was born in Seattle Washington, to the late Wesley and Betty Marble, after graduating high school, and on Aug. 16, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart, Patricia “Breithauptt.” While serving in the Marine Corp during the Korean War, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Service medal and the United Nations Service Medal. Upon returning from service, Bill worked for Boeing Airplane Company as Engineer and implementing blueprint procedure.

In 1965, Bill and Pat joined Tupperware Home parties and moved to Sikeston, Missouri, to open up Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas. Retirement brought Bill back to “sellers work.” He managed Plaza Office furniture for four years and owned and operated Marble Enterprise, a construction company.

Bill was active in many civic organizations, serving as president to Kiwanis Club and Easter Seal Society. He Served on the governors’ private industry council, was administrative assistant for the Regional Commerce and growth association (RCGA) in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He was active in Sikeston community choir and loved acting in Sikeston Little Theatre.

Bill and his son, John, designed and built many props for the community including “City of Lights,” “Spring-fest” and converting the Sikeston Armory into a beautiful banquet hall.

In later years, one of his fondest memories was going to “Honored Flight of the Ozarks” with his son Ronald in October 2017.

Bill is preceded in death by an older brother, and he is survived by his wife, Patricia, of the home, and their four children, son Ronald and his wife, Beverly, a daughter, Connie, and her husband, Eddie, another daughter, Bonnie, and her husband, Bruce, a son John, and his wife Leslie, a brother, Jerry, and his wife, Marianne; he is also survived by 14 wonderful grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

A private burial will be held at Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield with military honors.

Walnut Lawn Funeral Home in Springfield is in charge of arrangements.

----

Please make remembrance donations to Alzheimer’s Association at act.alz.org.