William Martin “Bill” Law, age 93 formerly of Owings, MD passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, September 11, 2019. Bill was born on June 25th, 1926 in Eau Gallie, FL. to Claude and Mary Law. His childhood was spent in the wilds of Florida with his two older brothers, Bud and Paul. The three were inseparable while they fished and hunted while avoiding snakes and alligators.
In 1943 at the age of 17, Bill enlisted in Marine Corps boot camp as the war was raging overseas. At 18 he served with the 1st Battalion 29th Marine Division and fought in the Battle of Saipan where his unit suffered over 100% casualties. At age 19, Bill served in the 6th Marine Division and fought in the Battle of Okinawa, the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific theater. There Bill was wounded in action on Sugar Loaf Hill and awarded the Purple Heart Medal. His Marine division was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation and Bill received numerous personal citations. Following the armistice, Bill served in Tsingtao, China, where the 6th Marine Division disarmed the enemy. In 1951 Bill re-enlisted in the Marines Corps for the creation of a decisive invasion force to end the Korean War. He served until January 1954, earning the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.
After his honorable discharge, Bill joined his Marine Corps friend, Earl Hargrove in Cheverly, MD and worked as Vice President of Hargrove Displays for the next 34 years. At Hargrove, Bill built anything and everything for inaugural events, (beginning with Harry Truman), parades, congressional and White House functions, including decorating the National Christmas Tree. He also traveled through out the world supervising the set up of all World Bank Monetary Fund meeting events. Bill was much loved, and admired by his coworkers. He was a man that earned respect and provided the model for others to achieve greatness.
In 1955 Bill married his sweetheart Helen Faye Wilcox of Mt. Rainer, MD. Devotedly married for over 53 years, they raised three children. William Martin Jr., James Corbin, and Nancy Ann. They lived in Riverdale and Laurel, MD during their younger years.The family enjoyed camping vacations together throughout the country in tents, and later in a camper Bill built from scratch. He could, and did, build anything the family needed.
After the children were grown, Bill and Helen purchased and moved into a large historic home perched on a bluff along the Patuxent River in Owings, MD. Both the home and property were in great disrepair, but their vision was great and felt it was worth renovating. Over the next 38 years, room by room the home was transformed into what they imagined could have been its former glory. It became home base for many family celebrations, and picnic events with wonderful friends and neighbors. Especially Christmas and Thanksgiving when family would gather at their home to enjoy Helen’s home made holiday feasts and Bill’s over the top decorations. As a display professional, Bill took his Christmas decorating very serious, and saying “Do it right or don’t do it at all”.
Bill was an accomplished master of many trades including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, mechanics, and metal fabrication just to name a few. Through the years Bill took great pleasure in extending a helping hand to neighbors with whatever they needed repaired or fixed, and, enjoyed in a beer or two with them upon a job well done.
In his retirement years, Bill and Helen traveled throughout the world. They spent many vacations with their very close friends Bob and Barbara Moe and especially enjoyed taking scenic river cruises. At times even piloting their own boat.
In September of 2008, Bill lost the love of his life, Helen. He persevered through the next 11 years maintaining his positive attitude and warm disposition. Extra love and support came from his son-in-law, Mike and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth. Bill loved them both very much and they shared as close of a bond as if they were his own.
Preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Claude, his two brothers, Bud and Paul and his beloved wife Helen (Wilcox). He is survived by son, William M. Law, Jr; son James C. Law and his wife Elizabeth; daughter, Nancy A. Law and her husband Mike Paredes; Grandson, James Daniel Law and his wife Brooke; granddaughter Sara and 2 great grandsons Myles & Wyatt.
His family is grateful for the loving care his primary nursing and rehab staff at Baywoods of Annapolis extended to him over the past 4 years. They loved and doted on him and, in turn he showed his appreciation through his helpful hand, warm demeanor and sense of humor.
The family would also like to express our thanks for the tender care and support extended by Chesapeake Hospice, Mandrin Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 90 Ritchie Highway, Pasadena, MD 21122. Please note in memory of “William M. Law Sr” in memo line or online at www.hospicechesapeake.org/giving/donate-now.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held Wednesday, September 18th from 5:00 -7:30PM at the Annapolis Maritime Museum, 723 2nd St, Annapolis, MD 21403. Friends are invited to share in the memorial tribute to begin at 6pm (Street parking, or at Horn Point Marina, 105 Eastern Ave. or Parking Garage at 613 Third Street ~no parking at Eastport Yacht Center) Arlington National Cemetery Service and Burial will be held at a later date.
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