Marsh, William P.

William P. Marsh, 61, died of cancer peacefully in his home Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.

Bill was born in Waterloo, Iowa on June 26, 1950, the first son of Ruth Toothman Marsh and Leo John Marsh. He grew up in Evansdale, Iowa, and graduated from Waterloo East High School in 1968 and Hawkeye Community College in 1970.With the Vietnam War raging, he was drafted into the Army and trained as a radio operator. He was deployed to the U.S.military base in Neu-Ulm Germany, where he spent his entire military career.

Upon his honorable discharge from the Army in 1973, he returned to Iowa and married Cynthia Hohlfeld Johnson.He then completed his education at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, followed by an internship at the Mental Health Institute in Independence.

Bill began his career in substance abuse counseling in 1976 at Lakeside Treatment Center in Marion and was a member of the founding team of Sedlacek Treatment Center at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. He became the administrative director of Sedlacek in 1980 and continued in that capacity until 2003.

Bill completed his professional career as program director for the Meskwaki Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center for the Sac and Fox Tribe on the Settlement in Tama, retiring in 2008.

Bill enjoyed all sports and adventures. He ran marathons, went on many golf and motorcycle trips, and learned to sky-dive. He took great joy in attending all his children's sporting events, musical events and graduations; there was never anything more important! He was so proud of his children.

He treasured the time he spent with his grandson, Jake, attending all his events, and the limited but precious time he had with grandchildren, Adelle and Hayden.

While raising his family in Marion he served on the Marion Civil Service Commission for many years.During the past three years he was a small claims mediator for the Sixth Judicial District Court, volunteered at the Noelridge Park Greenhouse, and served on the board of directors for the Beaver ?Creek Association.

He is survived by his wife, Cindy; son, Ira Marsh and wife Courtney, and grandson, Hayden Marsh, of Ann Arbor, Mich.; and daughter, Kathryn Wallace and husband Allen, and grandchildren, Jake Brandt and Adelle Wallace, of Marion.

He is also survived by his father, Leo Marsh of Marion; sister, Elaine Winberg and husband Randy of Urbana; brother, Ken Marsh and wife Kathi of Cedar Falls; brother, L.J. Marsh and wife Mary Ann of Connecticut; sister, Barbara Crabtree of Arizona; father-in-law, Joe Hohlfeld of Cedar Falls; mother-in-law, Therese Sloan and husband Ken of Mountain Home Ark.; as well as many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ruth Toothman Marsh.

A memorial service will be held Monday, Jan. 16, at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Celebration of Life and sharing of memories will begin at 6:30 p.m., and led by Bill Sackett. The family requests no flowers.

Gratitude is extended to Erin, Lolly and the St. Luke's Hospice team, where contributions may be directed.

Condolences may be left at

Published Jan. 8, 2012, in The Gazette

Index listing published Jan. 9, 2012, inThe Gazette