William Marks

William J. 'Bill' Marks was born August 14, 1913, in Franklin County, Kansas. He was the son of William Jennings Marks, Sr. and Mabel (Glasser) Marks. He was a life long Franklin County resident, until his death March 13, 2002, at the age of eighty-eight years. Bill was a lifelong farmer and construction worker. During World War II, he worked at Sunflower Ordinance Works near Desoto. For fifteen years, he worked for Union LP Gas Co. in Ottawa, retiring in 1978 as plant manager. He was a lifetime member of the Ottawa Promenader's Square Dance Club and Oasis Club of Ottawa. Bill and his wife Winnie loved to dance. They enjoyed ballroom dancing and square dancing. He was always proud of his soy bean fields. He spent many days each year chopping weeds with a hand hoe. His nickname was 'Good Sam' , earned because like the good Samaritan , he did not pass by when anyone was in need. Most importantly, Bill was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was proud of his family and would talk about their accomplishments to any one who would listen. He was a special uncle to his many nieces and nephews. On November 10, 1936, Bill was united in marriage with Hazel Winnifred Dawson at Ottawa. She preceded him in death on July 6, 1998. Surviving are one son, Thomas Marks and his wife, Linda, of Ottawa, Kansas ; one daughter, Hazel Gillette, and her husband, James, of Paola; one brother, Eugene Marks, of Ottawa; one sister, Betty Sumner, of Garnett; seven grandchildren, David and Clifford Gillette, Brenda Stoss, Anne Freund, Michael and Shelley Marks, and Shelley Henry; and fifteen great-grandchildren. Preceding him in death are his parents, two brothers, Louis Marks, Robert Marks, and four sisters, Marie Niehoff, Carrie Mason, Edna Dawson, and Ella Mae Whitty, and an infant grandson , Scott Raymond Marks. SERVICES: Funeral services will be held from the Dengel & Son Mortuary 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 16, 2002. OFFICIATING CLERGY: Pastor Bob Miller. IN STATE: Mr. Marks will lie in state at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 5:00 p.m. Thursday to the service hour, where the family will meet with friends 7 to 8:00 Friday evening. CEMETERY: Greenwood Cemetery, Franklin County, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorials to Hope House or Franklin County Cancer Foundation, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.