William Douglas "Bill" Marrs of Bluefield, Virginia, entered heaven on June 21, 2024, at the age of 92. The sadness in Bill's passing is lessened knowing the beloved 'Bill and Juanita' are reunited once again and standing in the presence of the Lord for whom they worshiped throughout their lives and their 65-year marriage before Juanita's passing in November 2019.

Bill was born August 25, 1931, to the late E.H. and Hannah Jane (Webb) Marrs in the coalfields of McDowell County, WV. The youngest and tallest of seven children, Bill was baby brother to siblings Frieda, Wanda, Garnet, Bernard, and Esther - all of whom (and one infant sibling, Wilfred) preceded him in death.

Bill graduated from Big Creek High School in War, WV, and enrolled at Mississippi State in Starkville, MS, as a member of the 1949 football team. Bill soon returned to Bluefield and met Alice Juanita Ruble before joining the United States Navy. Bill served aboard the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Gilbert Islands during the Korean War and enrolled at Concord College after his service.

On August 7, 1954, Bill married Juanita in a ceremony at Ebenezer Methodist Church. Ebenezer served as the church home of the Marrs Family for decades and Bill served his Lord as a faithful volunteer, Sunday School leader, and choir member. He also worshiped with local churches as a guest of the pulpit. Professionally, Bill's career at Metropolitan Life Insurance spanned decades prior to his retirement.

The four corners of Bill's life were his wife and the three boys they raised in the West Graham neighborhood: Doug (Connie) Marrs, Rick (Karen) Marrs and Chuck (Allison) Marrs. As Bill told many, he and Juanita "reared three boys in three years and all three were in diapers at the same time". Bill and his stories – about his beloved wife, his boys, the family's travels, hunting trips, weather events, football games, or simply the latest joke he'd heard – were hallmarks of time spent with him. These are memories that his family lived, loved, and will ensure last another lifetime - albeit missing Bill's trademark, infectious laughter.

Bill's grandchildren were foundational to his life, too. Beginning in 1981, 'Granddaddy Bill and Mammommie Juanita' welcomed Majer (Amber) Elswick, Chase (Kathleen) Elswick, Drew (Stephanie) Marrs, TJ (Jossie) Marrs, Sarah (Chris) Marrs, Alex (Ariel) Marrs, and David Marrs, and bonus grandson Colin (Jessica) Elswick. In later years, Bill embraced his role as a great-grandfather of 10, and was known to help Santa make phone calls on Christmas Eve.

Bill and Juanita traveled often to see their loved ones in activities, sports competitions, and raising their own families. Together, they accomplished a goal of visiting each of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., and in June 2019, they traveled one last time together to honor Bill's service in the U.S. Navy at the U.S. Capitol.

Despite Bill's always-on-the-go energy and his ever-growing family spread about, Bluefield was home. It was in Bluefield where he worshiped, sang, canned, pruned rhubarb, and spread joy to countless neighbors and friends. It was in Bluefield where Bill was often a wave away on his morning walks adjacent to Virginia Avenue or stirring the apple butter while Juanita and students from Dudley Primary School monitored his technique. It was in Bluefield where his family honored him on his 90th birthday with the establishment of the Bill and Juanita Marrs Endowment for youth of Tazewell and McDowell counties. And it is in Bluefield where we will gather to say our goodbye to Bill as he departs this life for eternal glory in Heaven.

Guests are invited to visit the family on Wednesday, June 26, from 6p-8p at Ebenezer Methodist Church on Bluefield-Tazewell Road. A memorial service at Ebenezer will take place on Thursday, June 27, at 11:00am with the Rev. Ray Amos officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Hill Cemetery where the honor of serving as pallbearers will be had by Bill's grandsons: Majer, Chase, Drew, TJ, Alex, and David.

The generosity of Bill and Juanita will continue to serve the community for decades through the Bill and Juanita Marrs Endowment. In lieu of flowers, donations to the endowment may be made through the Community Foundation of the Virginias [P.O. Box 4127, Bluefield, WV 24701 or cfvinc.org/charitable-giving/]. Please destinate your donation to the Bill and Juanita Marrs Endowment when making donations.