Marshall Dale Williams' Obituary
Big Rapids - Marshall D. Williams passed away at the age of 74 on March 2, 2020 at home with his family by his side after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born September 20, 1945 in Dallas, TX the son of Merle D. and Helen M. (Lundsford) Williams. Marshall has an older brother, Douglass Williams and had a younger brother, Martin Williams. He was raised in a Christian home and grew to serve the Lord in many ways. He graduated from W. W. Samuel High School in Pleasant Grove, TX in 1963. He earned his Bachelors of Education in 1968 from East Texas State University and then went back for his Master's Degree in Music.
Marshall met the love of his life, Charlotte R. (Hatton) Williams, when he was just 17, and they later married on June 1, 1967. He was in his last year of college and worked at Fireside Baptist Church on the weekends leading the music. After he graduated, he worked at an air conditioning and heating repair shop for the summer and then started working at Wittles Music Store in Dallas, TX. Marshall started his teaching career in the fall of 1968 and for the next two years taught English and Music at several different schools. In August of 1970, Marshall and Charlotte welcomed their first child, Brent D. Williams and a year later in August of 1971 their daughter, Alicia D. Williams was born. He received a job offer in 1976 for typesetting in Camden, AR. They lived there for a year before moving to Garland, TX, just outside of Dallas, where they spent 8 years. In 1988 they moved to Big Rapids.
Marshall was a very devoted husband and father, and throughout the years he would hold many different jobs providing for his family including The Artboard and Pope Joy and Fischel in Dallas, TX. After a few years he opened up his own business, Williams & Williams Typography, at home while still working a full-time day job. They were soon able to move into an office in Bent Tree Towers in Addison, TX. After many years of being a very successful business owner his older brother Doug asked him to join him in a new business venture in Texarkana, TX. Marshall and Charlotte both made the decision to sell their business and move to Texarkana and join his brother. A year later he began working for a print shop in Texarkana, TX. In 1988 he answered an ad looking for a teacher to teach desktop publishing at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI. Marshall was called for an interview and landed the job on the spot. He was an Associate Professor at Ferris State University teaching desktop publishing and photography. Marshall was a very well-loved teacher that was known for being fair and for wearing his Dallas Cowboy ties during football season. He earned his tenure and worked until he retired in 2011.
Marshall is survived by his wife of 52 years, Charlotte Williams; his son and daughter-in-law, Brent and Janelle Williams; daughter, Alicia Williams; previous daughter-in-law, Stephanie Cooley; four grandsons, Cody Williams, Justin Gallihugh, Matthew Williams and Philip Williams; granddaughters, Kayla Gallihugh and McInelly Hyde; great grandson, Maverick Gallihugh; brother and sister-in-law, Melvin and Betty Williams; sister-in-law, Sherri Williams; sister-in-law and her husband, Elizabeth Ann and Wendel LeMonds; and a niece and many nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Martin Williams.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family has asked for donations in his name be made to a cancer organization of your choice. Share a memory or express condolences at mohnkefuneralhome.com.
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