William E. Marsalis, Jr. Obituary
William "Bill" E. Marsalis, Jr., age 84, of Houston, TX went home to be with his Lord on June 10, 2021 in Houston, TX. He was born March 28, 1937 in Vicksburg, MS.
Bill was married to the love of his life, Marian H. Marsalis for 30 years. He proudly served our country in the U.S. Army from September 1960 - July 1962. His working career involved several moves before landing in Louisiana to serve as the State Geologist until his retirement.
He was an avid fan of all things regarding University of Alabama, but especially football, "Roll Tide!" Bill always had a joke on hand and making people smile was his specialty. He stayed active in his church and loved the Lord. Among his favorite pastimes were genealogy, crossword puzzles, playing cards and a good book. Traveling and good food were also high on his list. If you ever had a problem he was the man to call because he ALWAYS had a "solution" for that! You were blessed if you ever had the privilege of him singing "Happy Birthday" to you…the birthday song will never be the same. Most of all, he loved his family and would do anything to make them happy.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, William E. Marsalis, Sr., his mother, Opal C. Nabors, his brother, Stephen E. Marsalis and his beloved wife, Marian H. Marsalis.
Survivors include his children, Paige Gill (Eric), Jennifer Desormeaux (Floyd) and Douglas Marsalis (Kazumi), his step-children, Lori Mitchell (Matt), Darren Harrell (Amy), and Sandra Robinson and his grandchildren, Hannah Gill, Ethan Gill, Ryan Gill, Erin Gray, Gabe Desormeaux, Micah Marsalis, Grant Harrell, Rachael Harrell, Jessica Chadwick, Cutter, Kates Griffen Pepper, Bailie Conn, and Walt Pepper.
Pallbearers will be Eric Gill, Ethan Gill, Darren Harrell, Grant Harrell, Matt Mitchell and Floyd Desormeaux.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 17, 2021 from 9:00-11:00 am with services to follow in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, 300 McMillan Rd., West Monroe, LA 71291 and officiated by Woods Watson.
Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to a project near and dear to his heart:
Marsalis Cemetery Fund
℅ Thomas Wixon
3010 Washington Ave.
Pascagoula, MS 39567
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