COLUMBIA, Mo. -- William "Bill" Arthur Markel III, 67, of Columbia, Mo., died Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2011. His final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that Bill greatly loved.
Bill was born Jan. 23, 1944, in St. Louis, Mo., to Dr. Arthur Dean Markel and Laura Marie (Gayle) Markel.
He attended Poplar Bluff High School in Poplar Bluff, Mo., where he was raised. He continued his education at University of Missouri in Columbia, Mo., graduating in 1971 with a Bachelor's degree in Respiratory Therapy, and continued on to his Masters degree in Higher Adult Education.
Bill worked at the VA Hospital in Columbia, Mo., for more than 20 years as Chief of Respiratory Therapy Department, and he also contributed to the department's establishment. Bill enjoyed sports of all kinds, but none more than football, and grilling food on his trusty Weber. His greatest love was time spent with his family.
He is survived by his brother and his wife, Jim and Linda Markel of Poplar Bluff; his best friend, Gloria Markel of Columbia; his children and their spouses, George Anne and Kevin Cossey, Michelle Markel, and Will and Amy Markel, all of Columbia; and his grandchildren, Justin Wyatt, Ryan Macrum, Jessica Wyatt, Savannah Cossey Collin Cossey, and Grace Markel; and his great-granddaughter, Chloe Wyatt.
Memorial services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday at Midway Heights Baptist Church in Columbia, Mo. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Poplar Bluff. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Columbia Youth Football League or the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Online condolence may be left at www.parkerfuneralservice.com.
Paid