William Marsh

William M. Marsh, 62, of Chillicothe, ended a courageous 3-year battle with cancer on February 29, 2008, at home surrounded by his loving family. Funeral services will be held at 1:00pm Tuesday March 4, 2008, in the Haller Funeral Home, with Pastor Tad Grover officiating. Military graveside services conducted by the Ross Co. Veteran Honor Guard will follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. Friends and race fans may pay their respects from 5-8pm Monday at Haller Funeral Home. Bill was born on May 31, 1945, in Chillicothe to the late William G. and Helen M. (Martin) Marsh. After graduating from Chillicothe High School in 1963, Bill joined the US Navy, where he served proudly in the Naval Signal Corps in Naples, Italy. While not performing his duties, "The Tall One" combined two life-long passions: serving his country and playing basketball for them. After leaving the Navy, Bill found the love of his life and on April 1, 1967, he and Elizabeth McCoy were united in bonds that would stand the test of time. After 33 years of working at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center, Bill retired, only to find himself with nothing to do. Making contact with his friends and owners of the former Haller Ambulance Service, he found a new sense of purpose, assisting and driving a wheelchair unit. He helped in getting clients to and from their scheduled appointments. Following that, he gained an even deeper desire to drive, and found his way to Herrnstein Chrysler Dodge Jeep Mitsubishi and Suzuki where he delivered parts. Bill enjoyed all types of sports, especially open wheel racing such as Formula 1 and CART (Champ) racing. His family could always pinpoint his exact location during "March Madness," being a college hoops fan. Bill leaves behind a loving wife Elizabeth "Betsy"; their two sons Phillip (Karen) Marsh; and William M. Marsh II; a special granddaughter MacKenzie Marie; a sister Pamela M. (James) Caldwell; brothers Jan E. (Rebecca) Marsh, Dan H. (Robin) Marsh; and Kim O. (Lindy) Marsh; several nieces and nephews who all loved him; several uncles and aunts, including a very special aunt and uncle, Nell and Glen Ater; his mother-in-law Lucille Steed; and a brother-in-law David (Cathy) Steed. Bill had many friends and acquaintances too numerous to mention, as he touched so many lives over the years. Bill will be greatly missed, but is now in a better place. Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to Adena Health Foundation, Friends of Hospice, 272 Hospital Rd., Chillicothe, OH 45601.