William J. Markee

POCASSET — William James Markee, 82, formerly of Franklin, died Tuesday at his home in Pocasset, after a brief illness.

Mr. Markee was the son of Jerry Markee and his wife, Rose Butler, of Presque Isle, Maine.

In 1943, at the age of 17, he enlisted and proudly served in the Navy during World War II throughout the Pacific Theater on the USS Alabama and the USS Bonhomme Richard as a seaman first class, medic and gunner. He was the recipient of three WWII Service Awards.

Following his discharge, Mr. Markee attended Kansas State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture in 1951. Upon graduation, he was a manager at the Eastern States Farmer's Cooperative before he entered the field of education.

Mr. Markee was a biology, Earth science and physical science teacher at the Silver Lake Regional High School in Kingston for more than 25 years during which time he earned his Master of Science degree from Bridgewater State College.

He was an active community member in Franklin for 40 years, where he enjoyed cross-country camping, traveling and horticulture. Mr. Markee moved in 1995 to Pocasset, where he was a vital member of the Lily Pond Overlook Board of Trustees for several years.

Mr. Markee was predeceased by his wife of 47 years, Florence Sieker Teahan, of Westfield; brother, Ambrose C. Marquis, of Tupper Lake, N.Y.; brother, John F. Marquis, of Bangor, Maine. He is survived by his son, James Michael, and wife, Alix, and two grandchildren of Chester Springs, Pa., and sisters, Alice M. Koronkiewicz of Pocasset and Elizabeth A. Champagne of Forestdale.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 22, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 841 Shore Road in Pocasset. Interment will follow at 12:45 p.m. at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1558, Pocasset, MA 02559.

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