Willis Franklin Marsh, 73, of Muscle Shoals, AL, died Saturday, August 9, 2014. His visitation will be Monday, August 11th from 4 pm until 6 pm at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. His service will immediately follow at 6 pm in the funeral home chapel with Mark Mayfield officiating. Also, a memorial visitation will be held Tuesday, August 12, 2014 at Buffalo Trail Baptist Church in Morristown, TN from 6 pm until 8 pm. Interment will be Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at 10 am at Hamblen Memorial Gardens, Morristown, TN.
Mr. Marsh was preceded in death by his parents, Louise and Tom Marsh, Jr.
He is survived by his wife, Joan Greene Marsh; daughters, Lisa Thompson (Tim), and Beth Jones (Ricky); sisters, Betty Snyder, Mary Ailshie (Harry), and Melinda Hanna; brother, Tommy Marsh; grandchildren, Travis and Tyler Thompson, Molli and Bradley Jones.
He was a graduate of the Morristown High School class of 1958. He was transferred to Sheffield, AL as the manager of Sherwin Williams in 1974. He later went to work for Florence Lumber Company as the paint department manager.
He was president of the Muscle Shoals Lions Club in 1985, a charter member of the Optimist Club of Morristown, and a charter member of Buffalo Trail Baptist Church, where he was married and ordained as a deacon. Later he served as a deacon at Hillcrest Baptist Church and Woodward Avenue Baptist Church. He also served on the Colbert County Board of Equalization from 2003-2011.
He played golf regularly with Jerry Homan for several years, and won the Muscle Shoals Meritage Golf Club Handicap Golf Tournament in 1981.
Having never seen his grandparents, since they had passed away before he was born, he especially enjoyed being a grandparent. He told them Albret, a ghost, lived in his shop and gifts from Albret appeared on Christmas. He was so proud that both of his girls, and all of his grandchildren, had graduated from college.
He enjoyed 16 years of retirement, allowing him to hunt, dabble in woodworking, and travel. He especially enjoyed hunting with his nephew Rick, and his brother Tommy, at his nephew’s farm in North Carolina.
He enjoyed making dulcimers with his friend, Leon Perry, who preceded him in death. Learning about Willis’ impending death, Leon’s granddaughter Katie said, “He would now be walking around with grandfather in heaven.”
He enjoyed working on home improvement projects with Wally Poss and Dean Ray.
Recently, he utilized his newly acquired computer skills to follow the University of Tennessee Volunteers Sports program, of which he was an avid fan.
Honorary pallbearers will be the Adult Men Sunday School Class of Leighton Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to a charity of your choice; Leighton Baptist Church, Leighton, AL; Ball Camp Baptist Church, Knoxville, TN; or Buffalo Trail Baptist Church, Morristown, TN.
