Obituary

HALE CENTER-William Louis Marshall, 70, went to his eternal home to be with his Lord on Monday, June 4, 2012. Louis was born to William F. and Trudy Ruth Marshall on Feb. 24, 1942, in Rocky, Ark. He went to grade school in Rocky and High School in Jacksonville, Ark. He learned and became a meat cutter while working at Person's Market during high school. After high school, Louis continued working at Person's and at Razorback Meat Packing Co. In 1969, Louis was a recipient of the Purple Heart for injuries received from hostile fire in the Republic of South Vietnam. Louis was returned to the States and after a long rehabilitation, he became a laborer in the housing industry. In 1971, Louis met the love of his life, Etta Margaret Margie Blassingame. They were married in North Little Rock, Ark., on Nov. 13, 1971. They resided in the North Little Rock, Mayflower and Greenbriar, Ark., areas, and later in Lubbock, Texas. Soon after their marriage, Louis became a U.S. Merchant Mariner and in 1981 he became a tankerman, Grade B. Louis was preceded in death by his father; mother; a grandson; and his beloved wife.

Louis is survived by his brother, Booker F. Marshall; two sons, William Elvis Marshall and David B. Blassingame; a daughter, Margaret Ann Caldwell; seven grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great grandchildren.

On Wednesday, June 6, 2012, at 11 a.m., Abell Funeral Home & Flower Shop of Hale Center, Texas, will direct graveside services in Center Plains Cemetery, Cotton Center, Texas, with Chaplain Kate Hutson officiating.

Published in The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal on June 6, 2012