William "Bill" Mareth

William Joseph Mareth was born in Hondo, TX on November 18, 1942 to William Joseph Mareth Sr and Carrie Nona Feuerbacher Mareth. His father was in the Army Air Corps, so they moved quite a bit but they were always stationed in Texas.

He had a wonderful childhood with attentive parents, loving grandparents and many cousins.

In June 1949 his brother Tom Mareth was born. Bill was so happy to have a brother, and they have always cared for each other. Since they were 6 years apart, there was no contention only love and helpfulness.

They lived in Waco for awhile, then spent time in San Marcos and Victoria before moving back to Waco where Bill attended high school. He graduated in 1961 and was Salutatorian of his class at LaVega High School.

He attended Texas State University (Southwest Texas then) and majored in Math with a minor in chemistry. Upon completion of a Master’s degree in Math, he moved to Salt Lake City to pursue a doctorate degree at the University of Utah.

In 1967 the stake missionaries were tracting one day and saw a young, blond Texan working in his “Texas cactus garden”. They approached him. Not long after he joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He had always been spiritual and attended the Lutheran church, but he loved the gospel’s teachings of eternal families and continuing revelation in Christ’s church.

In early 1968 he met Diana Esther Peck who was a freshman at the University of Utah. It didn’t take long for them to fall in love. She loved his sense of humor and quick wit as well as the fact that he was ambitious, kind and considerate.

Bill and Diana were married in the Salt Lake Temple on August 27, 1968. They moved to Corpus Christi, Texas where Bill taught at Del Mar College for two years.

Later they moved to Austin, Tx where Bill continued work on his PhD in mathematics.

In November 1971 their first daughter, Teresa Diana Mareth was born. What a joyous occasion that was! Bill couldn’t have been a happier, more attentive dad.

In June 1972 they returned to Corpus Christi where Bill continued to teach at Del Mar College while he worked on his dissertation. He completed his dissertation and was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy, Mathematics degree in August 1974.

By then they had had their 2nd child, William Jared Mareth. In December 1975 David Rolf Mareth was born; in September 1978 Brett Cannon Mareth was born. Heidi Elizabeth Mareth was born in January 1982. They had 5 beautiful children whom they loved so very much.

During these busy years Bill served as bishop of the Corpus Christ III Ward, High Councilor in Corpus Christi Stake and 2nd Counselor in the Corpus Christi Stake. He also taught the Gospel Doctrine class.

In 1986 he completed a computer science degree at Corpus Christi State University (Texas A & M CC).

During his years at Del Mar, he served as chairman of the department on two occasions. He taught the higher-level math classes as well as statistics. He also taught Differential Equations as an adjunct professor at Corpus Christi State University.

Dr. Paula Kenny Wallace (who is the current chair of the department) started as a tutor in the math lab in 2000 told me this about the help and encouragement she and Eric Moller received from Bill: We were the “kids” of the math department. Now 25 years later, we’re the veterans and mentors! We LEARNED from the BEST!

One of his proudest achievements was serving as the director of Tex Prep program during the summer This program was offered to junior high through first year high school students through the National Science Foundation. It was designed to help these young people become interested in mathematics and engineering careers. Besides offering classes in engineering and mathematics, they went on field trips and had guest speakers. He felt it was important to encourage them towards careers in science. He directed the program for 9 years!

Bill retired in 2008 after 40 years of teaching! He continued to teach as an adjunct professor until 2013. Early in 2014 he and Diana moved to Round Rock, TX to be closer to family.

He and Diana served in the Bishop’s storehouse for 15 months, then as volunteers at the Family Search Center.

Throughout his life he enjoyed several hobbies: photography, hiking, hunting for arrowheads at the Cameron farm and camping.

Besides being a successful educator and scholar, phenomenal father and husband, kind and empathetic spiritual leader, Bill was known for his wit, great sense of humor and jokes.

Bill always loved his Savior who blessed and comforted him and his family throughout his life. Bill lived an admirable life with dignity and integrity and was loved and cherished by his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by Diana, his wife of 56 years, 5 children Teresa Vaupel (Loren), Jared (Liz), David (Tara), Brett and Heidi Farnsworth (Michael). Twenty-seven grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, his brother, Tom Mareth (Martha) and several cousins, nephews and nieces.