Obituary of William Marshall Brock

William “Bill” Marshall Brock Sr., age 96, passed away peacefully Friday evening, March 8, 2024, at the Hospice House in Sun City Center, FL. He was a resident of Sun City Center, FL. He was born in Clearwater, FL. on April 21, 1927, to his parents, Leonard Burtis Brock, and Blanche Josephine (Cordier) Brock. Both precede him in death. He was a 1945 graduate of Clearwater High School where upon graduation he would go on to proudly serve his country in the U.S. Navy from May 1945 to July 1946 as seaman second class serving overseas in China. Upon his return to the United States, he worked for the Jimmy Lynch Death Dodgers stunt car traveling show driving as a caravan driver from city to city. Not long after, Bill would meet the love of his life, Margie Sue (Creel) Brock and they married on May 1, 1954. She preceded him in death October 10, 2021, after 67 years of faithful and loving marriage.

He will be missed by his children William Jr. (Jan) Brock of Brazil, IN. Robert (Pat) Brock of Edenton, NC. Burt (Mary) Brock of Franklin, IN, Beverly (Paul) Schaedler of Sun City Center, Florida. Grandchildren Andrew Brock, Rachel (Ryan) Gruenholz, Josiah (Alissa) Brock, Heather (Leo) Lavin, Tasha (Bradley) Murray, Megan (Ross) Najmon, Nathan (Amanda) Schaedler, Natalie (Eli) Mathers, and Meranda (Garrett) Granson. Great grandchildren Linley, Leah, Libby, and Lola Gruenholz, Sydney (Will) Rindone, Willam and Jackson Brock; Ollie, Jude, Theo and Paxton Brock, Hannah, Leah, Keturah, and Zipporah Lavin; Ireland, Howie, and Charleigh Murray; Judah and Noah Najmon; Eleanor and Madelyn Mathers; and Aubree and Kinslee Schaedler.

Besides his parents and wife, Bill was also preceded in death by his brother, Leonard “BB” Burtis Brock Jr.

Throughout the course of his life, Bill was a faithful, hardworking, and loyal employee of the Pinellas Title Company where he worked as their vice president. He was a loan officer for Barnett Bank in Florida for two years before working as a courier driver for a medical supply company in Tampa, FL. Bill was a Special Needs bus driver for UPARC in St. Petersburg, FL. before working for 13 years as a bank teller for Indian Rocks State Bank in Indian Rocks, FL. Bill would finally retire from working at age 81.

Bill faithfully served his Lord Jesus and the church as elder, deacon, treasurer, Sunday school teacher, working many years with children in every church’s youth program where he worshiped with his family. Bill was also a scoutmaster with the Boy Scouts of America where he led many scouts on camping trips.

Bill enjoyed playing golf, working jigsaw puzzles, crossword puzzles, sudoku and every kind of other word puzzle ever invented. Bill was a huge football fan, and his favorite teams were both the Florida Gators and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He faithfully cheered on the Gators in his Gator wear. He also enjoyed watching golf on TV.

Bill was a selfless man who put everybody else ahead of himself. He was a patient, kind, and humble man who never complained about anything. His great sense of humor made him a joy and so much fun to be around. He loved playing games, telling jokes and he never met a stranger. Bill was always ready to help anyone with any need they may have had in the church or on the job. Bill loved to travel with his wife to see family members all over the United States. Bill was faithful to his family and was always there with his wife when his children and grandchildren were involved in any kind of sport, dance, music, band, drama, or school program. The mantra of his life was simple, he loved the Lord, loved his church, loved his family, and loved his neighbor.

Funeral service for Bill will be May 25, 2024, at 1 p.m. at First Christian Church of Sun City Center located at 1707 33rd Street SE, Ruskin, FL. A committal service will be May 28, 2024, at 1 p.m. at Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, FL.

Having raised three sons who became church ministers, in lieu of flowers, Bill would want any memorial contributions to be given to the following churches: East Side Christian Church, 400 E. Church St. Brazil, IN 47834; First Christian Church of Morgantown, PO Box 306 Morgantown, IN 46160; and Countryside Church of Christ, 100 Countryside Dr. Edenton, NC 27932.