William F. Marvel, of Carmel, died Jan. 15, 2021, the day after his 96th birthday. Bill devoted most of his career to Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc. He was born Jan. 14, 1925, in Middlebury, Indiana, to Audrey Thomas and Ella Gertrude (Hillman) Marvel.
Survivors include his wife of eight years, Beverly (Wilson) (McMillan) Marvel; children Susie Marvel (Dan McCarthy) and Debbie Wesley (Jon); grandchildren Kevin McCarthy (Bethany), Regan McCarthy, Christina Ralphs (Kevin), Christopher Wesley (Ashley), and Michael Wesley; great-grandchild Alicia Wesley; his McMillan children Larry McMillan (Peggy), Cheryl Draper (Marty) and Diane Walsh; and 11 McMillan grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife of 53 years Martha Catherine (Jones) Marvel, and brothers Tom, Jim and Howard.
Bill was a graduate of Purdue University. At Farm Bureau, Bill was the Director of the Legislative Department. Earlier he was in the Education Department working with Rural Youth. He also taught in the Veterans On-the-Farm Training program and was Assistant County Agent in Tippecanoe County. A World War II Army veteran, Bill served at Bruns General Hospital. He was a member of the Indiana Council for Economic Education, Purdue Ag Alumni, and was appointed to several commissions by the Governor. Bill was named a Sagamore of the Wabash.
Bill was a member of Colonial Hills Baptist Church. He enjoyed gardening, golf, bridge and was an excellent ping-pong player. Known for his grilled pork chops and campground “midnight hamburgers,” his family fondly remembers the special pancake shapes he made and the song he sang while frying the best bacon ever. He enjoyed camping with family and friends, visiting all 50 states, with a goal of touring each state capitol building. One of his pleasures in life was driving. He said he drove more than two million miles in his lifetime, as his work included speaking throughout Indiana. Bill was a fervent Boilermaker and a fan of the Indiana Pacers and the Indianapolis Colts. At age 85, Bill wrote his 288-page memoirs filled with photos. Recently published, The Life and Times of William Frederick Marvel is available at blurb.com.
Due to COVID there will be no visitation and the funeral service will be private. Burial will be in the Jones Family plot at Riverside Cemetery, Attica, Indiana.
Bussell Family Funerals is assisting the family in arrangements.
