William Thomas Marsh

MARSH, William T., age 61 of Springboro, OH passed away Thursday, March 28th, 2013 at home. He was the firstborn of a Navy family, born in Norfolk, VA on March 22, 1952 to David and Jean (O’Dell) Marsh. Both of his parents, as well as his younger brother Wayne, preceded him in death. After graduating from the US Military Academy at West Point in 1974 with a Bachelors of Science in Civil Engineering, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant (Combat Engineers) in the US Marine Corps and within days, married his true love and soul mate, Mary Elizabeth Griffin. He served around the world with the Marines for 11 years until he medically retired. Before he left the Corps, he earned his Master’s Degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology with a Master of Science in Systems Engineering and Management. He continued to serve his country for over 27 years as a Government civilian at Wright Patterson Air Force Base working in multiple positions, culminating as the Chief of Foreign Military Sales (Construction), in which he served until his death. He and Mary Beth raised two very unique children, both of whom followed him into military service. A natural extrovert, Bill maintained many and varied interests over the years: he was avidly involved with Boy Scouts, archery, marksmanship, carpentry and home remodeling, and an antiques business with his wife. He was an enthusiastic amateur chess player, and was a Civil War, naval history, and pirate buff. In his spare time, he and Mary Beth operated a small-dog rescue service, giving hundreds of deserving dogs (and even a few humans) a new lease on life. He is survived by his wife of 39 years Mary Elizabeth (Griffin) Marsh, his daughter: Major Sarah (and husband Major James Read) Marsh-Read, his son: Captain William (and wife Courtney), and granddaughter Julia. He is also survived by his brother, Captain (Retired, USMC) Jeffrey (and wife Deborah) and their three children, as well as other extended family and close lifelong friends. Bill did not dwell on the negative; his family will hold a celebration of his life instead of a funeral at the TOBIAS FUNERAL HOME – BEAVERCREEK CHAPEL, Wednesday, April 3RD, 2013 from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flower donations, memorial donations in his name can be made to the James Cancer Institute at the Ohio State University, Hospice of Middletown, and St. Jude’s Cancer Research Institute.