William A. Bill Markell

William ""Bill"" Arthur Markel III, 67, died December 20, 2011. His final days were spent surrounded by family and friends that Bill greatly loved.

Bill was born January 23, 1944 in St. Louis, Missouri to Dr. Arthur Dean Markel and Laura Marie (Gayle) Markel. He attended Poplar Bluff High School in Poplar Bluff, Missouri where he was raised. He continued his education at University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, graduating in 1971 with a Bachelors degree in Respiratory Therapy, and continued on to his Masters degree in Higher Adult Education.

Bill worked at the VA Hospital in Columbia, Missouri for over 20 years as Chief of Respiratory Therapy Department, and he also contributed to the department's establishment. Bill enjoyed sports of all kinds, but none more than football, and grilling food on his trusty Weber. His greatest love was time spent with his family.

He is survived by his brother and his wife, Jim and Linda Markel; his best friend Gloria Markel; his children and their spouses George Anne and Kevin Cossey, Michelle Markel, and Will and Amy Markel; and his grandchildren Justin Wyatt, Ryan Macrum, Jessica Wyatt, Savannah Cossey, Collin Cossey, and Grace Markel; and his great-granddaughter Chloe Wyatt.

Memorial Services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, December 22, at Midway Heights Baptist Church, in Columbia, Missouri. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, December 23, at Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Poplar Bluff.

Cotrell Funeral Service of Poplar Bluff is in charge of local arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Columbia Youth Football League or the Muscular Dystrophy Association.