Charles William “Bill” Marlett 10/19/1929 – 7/24/2016
Bill, age 86, of Kalamazoo, passed peacefully at home following a long illness. He was born in Dunkirk, Indiana at his maternal grandparent’s home to Herbert W. and Ethel (Wolfe) Marlett. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Edgar (June) Marlett. He is survived by his wife Carol and their children: Michelle (Joe) Donovan, Martin Marlett and Monica (Dave) Staiger, 5 grandchildren: Sam, Mike and Max (Lauren) Donovan and Amanda and Joey West as well as a sister, sister-in-laws and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Bill grew up in Kalamazoo, Delton and Battle Creek, Michigan; Goshen and Elkhart, Indiana; Pasadena, Los Angeles and Visalia, California. He was in the Army during the Korean War serving as a tank commander in Japan. After the war he returned to Kalamazoo where under the guidance of his grandfather, Ernest Marlett, he learned the techniques of painting. In 1956 he began his own painting business and remained a painter all of his life. Bill married Carol Bates of Decatur on August 19, 1961. He was active in the Jaycees in the 1960s, chairing the successful “Liquor by the Glass” campaign; he taught the apprenticeship program for the painters union and remained active with the Democratic Party throughout his life. Bill loved to cook and entertain and shared his knowledge of authentic Mexican cooking, which he learned while living in California in the 1940s. He loved his home and throwing parties which is why we will be celebrating his life, and serving his favorite Mexican foods, at his home of 55 years on October 1st from 2-6. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the American Red Cross or Hospice. Cremation has taken place.
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