A house RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF William Henry Brown Marshel, president-director of Marshel's Wright-Donaldson Home for Funerals, AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HIS MANY FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of William Henry Brown Marshel at the age of eighty-three on Saturday, April 8, 2023; and

Whereas, born in Georgetown on May 8, 1939, Mr. Marshel was the son of the late Florrie Marshel DeVaughn and Buxton Brown and was educated in the public schools of Georgetown.  He graduated from Howard High School in 1957, where he excelled in several sports, and football was his love; and

Whereas, he attended Allen University in Columbia and New York City College, and in 1970, he graduated from the American Academy McAllister Institute of Mortuary Science in New York City. He served his internship at the Palmer Memorial Chapels of Columbia and Sumter. In the proud tradition of the sons of South Carolina, he served his country honorably in the United States Army; and

Whereas, a licensed funeral director and embalmer in South Carolina and formerly in Georgia, he was a member of the 1st District of the South Carolina Morticians Association, where he served as treasurer and as chairman of the Recommendation Committee.  He was also a member of the National Funeral Directors and Morticians Association, Inc., and of Epsilon Nu Delta Mortuary Fraternity; and

Whereas, from a long line of family funeral directors, Mr. Marshel was assistant funeral director and primary embalmer for Palmer Memorial Chapels in Columbia and Sumter and Fraser Funeral Home in Georgetown.  In 1976, he became president-director of Marshel's Wright-Donaldson Home for Funerals in Beaufort and owner of Security Monument Agency and Security Message Center; and

Whereas, a former member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church of Georgetown, Mr. Marshel later moved to Beaufort and joined Grace Chapel A.M.E., serving as an usher, on the Men's Day Committee, Leader of Class #8, and on the Pastor's Aide and Trustee boards; and

Whereas, devoted to his community, Mr. Marshel and his family sponsored an annual community fish fry for several years held on Memorial Day.  A life member of Burton-Dale-Beaufort Branch of the NAACP, he was a member of American Legion Post #207, King Solomon Masonic Lodge #10, S. J. Bampfield Lodge #584, and the Foundation Board of the Technical College of the Low Country; and

Whereas, he was honored for his service with the MCAS Tri-Command Community Service Award, Beaufort County Parks and Recreation Commendation for Contributions to the Beaufort County Senior Services, Burton-Dale-Beaufort Branch NAACP Outstanding Service Award, and Beaufort County Ministerial Alliance Martin Luther King Jr. Exemplary Service Award; and

Whereas, together with his beloved wife, Barbara Winters Marshel formerly of Aiken, he reared three fine children: Vincent D. Marshel, Serette Marshel Marshall, and Joe Parson.  His children blessed him with the affection of six loving grandchildren: Genesis A. Moore, Trinity Marshall, Julian Marshel, Jasper Marshel, Ian Parson, and Sebastian Parson.  He was blessed to see the continuation of his legacy in two great-grandchildren, Aiden Parson and Micah Parson; and

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the life and legacy of William Marshel and for the example of service and excellence he set for all who knew him.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of William Henry Brown Marshel, president-director of Marshel's Wright-Donaldson Home for Funerals, and extend their deepest sympathy to his large and loving family and his many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of William Henry Brown Marshel.

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