William Francis O'Dell

William Francis O'Dell William Francis O'Dell, 100, of Shell Point Village, Ft. Myers, Florida, died Wednesday, November 11, 2009. He was born January 24, 1909 in Detroit, Michigan. A graduate of the University of Illinois, he was the founder and long-time chairman of Market Facts, Inc., an international marketing research firm with headquarters in Chicago. He was elected president of the American Marketing Association in 1960. In 1965 he joined the faculty of the McIntire School of Commerce of the University of Virginia where he taught for 12 years. A professorship at that University was endowed in his name in 1983. During 1969-70 he was a visiting professor at the University of Hong Kong. He authored or co-authored several books on business decision-making and human relations. He was a member of Delta Upsilon, Beta Gamma Sigma, and the Rotary Club of Ft. Myers. His wife, Bess Baer O'Dell, pre-deceased him in 1986. Mr. O'Dell is survived by a daughter, Margaret L. O'Dell of Alamo, California; a son, David T. O'Dell of Evansville, Indiana; one granddaughter, four grandsons, and six great-grandchildren. Interment in Winter Park, Florida. Services are private.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.