William Marin Jr.

William (Bill) Marin, Jr. passed away peacefully at his home on November 13, with family members near and others attending in spirit. Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Judith (Judy) Hancher Marin, his three sons, Roger (Deidre) of Springfield, Virginia; Brad (Lauren) of Sanford, North Carolina; and Bruce (Christine) of Winter Garden, Florida; and daughter Wendy (Carol) of Sante Fe, New Mexico. He was predeceased by his sister Karen and survived by sisters, Kristin and Kathryn. He also leaves behind eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.

Born in Cheboygan, Michigan, in 1937 to William Marin, Sr. and Marjorie Marin, Bill grew up with his three sisters in a small, nurturing community where trust, faith, and mutual support were commonly held values. He often described his journey through life as “fortunate” and “charmed”. Bill loved playing high school sports at Cheboygan High School, was active in his church youth group, and developed a lifelong passion for competitive games, while sharing his father’s enthusiasm for stamp and coin collecting.

Bill attended the University of Michigan in 1955, where he formed a close relationship with roommate John S. (Sandy) Briggs. This friendship, through Sandy’s future wife Carole (nee Hancher) would change his life forever when he met Carole’s sister Judy Hancher. The special bond between the two couples, their families, and extended families would form an enduring connection through the lives of all who knew them both. Bill completed his studies at Michigan, graduating in 1959. While there, he developed a passionate devotion to Wolverine athletics that he proudly passed on to his children and grandchildren.

Through ROTC, Bill was commissioned into the US Army as a Military Intelligence officer, serving honorably and with distinction at various postings in Germany and the US before deploying to Vietnam in 1966. Bill transitioned to civilian life in 1967, having achieved the rank of Captain.

After military service, Bill embarked on a distinguished 32-year career with IBM, where he worked in sales, marketing, and administration until his retirement in 1999. Retirement brought new adventures: Bill and Judy traveled extensively through the US and internationally, visiting family and exploring dozens of countries. Their travels afforded them the opportunity to learn about foreign history and cultures while also enjoying the fellowship of their siblings and spouses, who were frequent travel companions. Along the way, they met new friends and built relationships that they cherished fondly.

Bill pursued life with curiosity and energy, touching others with his kindness, compassion, humor, and zest for life. He could often be found on the tennis court, at Jazzercise, or playing a hand of bridge with one of the many groups that he and Judy played with while not traveling. He volunteered at Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, and loved brightening the day of patients with a joke as he escorted them at St. Johns/Ascension Hospital. Bill enjoyed an active lifestyle, and his love of games – especially bridge – was legendary. His postcard sending “hobby”, which consisted of mailing hundreds of cards from his vast collection to family and friends, was a simple yet heartfelt way of saying “I’m thinking of you,” which corresponded perfectly with the generous and cordial spirit he embodied in his personal encounters with others.

In 2019, Bill was diagnosed with pulmonary interstitial fibrosis. Even as his health declined, he found new ways to meet each day with a positive outlook. The courage, humor, and grace he showed in the face of his growing challenges inspired all who knew him. He never ceased to appreciate the opportunity for a game, puzzle, or conversation with those he loved.

A service celebrating Bill’s life and memory will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 24, at the First Congregational Church (FCC) of Royal Oak, 1314 Northwood Boulevard. Visitation will begin at 10:00. Military honors will be presented in recognition of his service to our country. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to FCC or Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center – or, alternatively, they encourage you to simply send a postcard to a loved one, reminding them of how important they are to you, as Bill would have done.