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William "Bill" Bruce Marshall passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 86 on Oct. 17, 2026, at Chehalis West Assisted Living in Chehalis, Washington.
Born on March 2, 1940, Bill grew up in a variety of places on the West Coast, but principally on the Olympic Peninsula near Bremerton. He had a strong interest in silviculture from an early age, an interest that would form the basis of his lifelong career in the forest industry. Bill was well-respected by his peers, with a commonsense approach to harvest practices and the authentic conservation ethic of someone whose family depended on the health of the forest. Bill was also a committed civil servant, serving on many civic committees, including serving two terms as the mayor of Mossyrock, a community that he and his family were warmly welcomed into in 1988, and a place where generational family still call home.
Prior to beginning his career in forestry, he voluntarily enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after receiving his draft notice from the Army. He remained a proud former Marine until his last breath.
Bill was a devout Catholic and a fierce advocate for the traditional Latin Mass, something that would become one of the proudest contributions of his lifetime. With a small group of similarly minded Catholics, their efforts directly led to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter reestablishing the Latin Mass at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Tacoma, Washington.
Bill had much to be proud of in his long and consequential life, but nothing more than his 60-year marriage to Janice and the example he served for their seven children. He was a quiet man who loved his family and worked throughout his life to model self- improvement and to walk with the humility of Christ.
He is survived by the love of his life, Janice Marshall (née Grzeczkowski); their seven children, Jody Matchett and her husband, Rob, of Mossyrock; Rusty Marshall and his wife, Pam, of McCleary, Washington; Patrick Marshall and his wife, Annissa, of San Antonio, Texas; Scott Marshall and his fiancée, Dana, of Mossyrock; Mike Marshall and his wife, Myra, of Cobble Hill, British Columbia; Katie Fitzhugh and her husband, Tony, of Mossyrock; and Joe Marshall and his wife, Kristy, of Yamhill, Oregon; his sister, Carolyn Marshall, of Onalaska; and his brother-in-law, Jim Imhoff, and his wife, Seiza, of Independence, Oregon.
Bill also leaves behind 22 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, who were an endless source of happiness for him.
The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all those who shared in Bill's care and friendship in his final days, weeks and months, particularly the amazing staff at Chehalis West Assisted Living. Seeing the outpouring of care was truly moving for both Bill and the family.
We will honor his life this coming Tuesday, November 3, in a two-part service, beginning with a solemn high mass at St Joseph’s Catholic Church at 602 S 34th St, Tacoma, WA, beginning at 10:30 a.m., followed by a graveside committal ceremony held at St Francis Xavier Mission at 139 Spencer Rd, Toledo, WA, beginning at 2 p.m.
We invite you to attend either, or both. Following the graveside service, an informal gathering at the mission hall will be held. Please feel free to join for coffee and snacks, and share in the remembrance of this good man.
