Bill was born on Dec 15th, 1948, to Rose and Dr. Charles Woodard “Doc” Marsh in Kansas City, Mo. He attended high school at Drexel High School (class of 1966), undergrad at Pitt State University alongside his sister Donna, and then went on to the University of Missouri-Kansas City where he obtained his Doctor of Pharmacy. Bill brought his pharmaceutical skills back to his hometown when he purchased the Drexel Pharmacy on Main Street in 1974. This pivotal moment began a life dedicated to the betterment of Drexel residents.
Bill was a pillar of the Drexel community. Bill helped build the Drexel Public Library, a branch of the Cass County Public Library. He served for several years on the Drexel cemetery board of directors. He served the Drexel Lions Club for 35 years and helped with the famous 4th of July fireworks celebrations. You could find him on the other side of the lake with his brothers-in-law Joe and David setting up and shooting off fireworks. For many years Bill single-handedly organized the big Drexel Easter Egg Hunt. Everyone knew they could drop off eggs at his Pharmacy and he would organize hiding them in time for the Easter Egg Hunt! Bill was a staple on Main Street in Drexel, where he worked for over 40 years.
But more than any of this, he was the neighbor you could always depend on. On any given day you might find him sitting in his pickup truck parked in the middle of the road enjoying a leisurely conversation with friends and neighbors or even strangers at his truck window.
Bill enjoyed mornings with his friends and his dad on the “Coffee Line”- a group of local Drexel residents that gathered at the Pharmacy every morning for a good old-fashioned cup of Joe and camaraderie.
Bill was extremely close to his sisters. In fact, so close that his sister Donna got married to her husband Joe on a Sunday and Bill moved in with them the following morning. Years later, Bill went on an Alaskan cruise with his sisters Pat and Donna, and brother-in-law Joe, because they all wanted to visit their 50th state together. Although Pat and Bill had planned to room together, Bill snored so loud that Pat moved in with Joe and Donna. Bill enjoyed working at his pharmacy with both his sisters Judy and Donna.
Bill loved traveling with his children and grandchildren, and frequently visited his daughter Shana and her family in Arizona. He and his kids loved exploring the outdoors together, including hiking, horseback riding, swimming and even ziplining at Beaver Lake near Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
Although he was a country boy through and through, he loved visiting his step kids Joshua, Charles and Jessica in downtown Kansas City to explore new restaurants and bars.
He poured his heart into any project he worked on. He was the Master of Do-It-Yourself, which might mean that projects lasted a bit longer than they should have. He enjoyed fixing up old houses and owned several rental properties. He was known as a beloved and forgiving landlord. Helping people out when they needed it was at the core of who he was.
He’ll be fondly remembered by his family for his great gift-wrapping skills at Christmas (he was a huge fan of using paper and plastic trash bags). He also loved playing the role of trash collector after the kids ripped open their gifts.
A few years ago, Bill asked his brother-in-law, Daryl, to help write a business plan for an idea that he had. It was called Blu-Water and the slogan was “Last Swipe Hygiene Wipe.” Daryl looked at it and told Bill that it wouldn’t work in the “end” thus ending Bill’s dream to become a successful entrepreneur.
In his later years, Bill enjoyed living with and spending time with his best friend who was also his mother, better known as Granny Rose. The quality time they spent together was precious to both.
Bill was an ordinary hero whose character was built on love, goodness, and a genuine sense of service. He was born to serve others and lived that way until his last breath. His spirit of kindheartedness and goodwill lives on in his children and grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his father Charles “Doc” Marsh, and his wife Kirsten. He is survived by his loving mother Rose Marsh (Drexel, Mo), his two incredible children Shana Cooper (and husband Jeff, Queen Creek, Arizona) and Clinton Marsh (and wife Dawn, Lansing, Ks.), his beloved step-children Josh Whalen (and husband Charles, Kansas City, Mo.) and Jessica Whalen (Kansas City, Mo.), sisters Donna Ziegler (and husband Joe, Drexel, Mo.), Pat Deel (and husband Daryl, Joplin, Mo.) and Judy Still (and husband David, Drexel, Mo.), his adoring grandchildren Bryce, Brooke, Clayton, Colton and Gabby, and several nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews who love him.
“Ya' know that old trees just grow stronger / And old rivers grow wilder ev'ry day.” -John Prine
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