William H. Marten

1918 - 2013

Marten, William H. Cdr, US Navy OCEANSIDE -- William Howard Marten passed away on May 20, 2013. He was born on June 24, 1918 in Minneapolis and later relocated to Florida and Iowa. Bill was awarded music and merit scholarships to Cornell College, Iowa. He played cornet in a college jazz band. Bill entered Midshipman School at Northwestern University and received his commission in 1942. He was the Commanding Officer of two minesweepers, earning a Letter of Commendation from the Mine Force, Pacific Fleet. Bill left active duty in 1946 to work at the Matson Navigation Co. in San Francisco. While there, he married Dolores (Dee) Lilygren. He returned to active duty in 1949. Cdr. Marten's 22 year Naval career included: two tours of duty in South Korea, serving as the Executive officer of the USS El Dorado, and as the very first officer-in-charge of the predecessor to the Navy Personnel Research and Development Center in Point Loma. Upon retiring in 1967, Bill returned to the NPRDC as Head Administrative Support. He retired in 1981, but attended the "Survivors" monthly lunches for years. Community service was always a priority to Bill. Affiliations included: PTA President, Deacon at Graham Memorial Presbyterian Church (Coronado), San Diego Rotary, and Salvation Army (Angel Tree Program Chair and Adult Rehab Center Board Member). Bill became an avid golfer after moving to Ocean Hills in 1989. He was a true patriot and an American and Naval history buff. His lifelong love for music made him a familiar figure at North County venues. He loved to attend concerts and fraternize with fellow musicians. No musician or veteran was ever a stranger; if you were both, Bill was your loyal friend for life! Bill often played his horn at Ocean Hills Memorial Day and Veterans Day observances. Bill was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Dee. He is survived by his sister, Betty Meewes; son, Bill Jr.; daughter, Melissa; and grandchildren, Mariah and Michael. His family wishes to thank the devoted staff at Emeritus at Carlsbad for their loving care of our father the last two years of his life. He considered Emeritus his home and you his family. "We will be forever grateful." A Navy burial at sea ceremony will occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: the Salvation Army, 2320 - 5th Ave., San Diego, CA 92101, or the Museum of Making Music, 5790 Armada Dr., Carlsbad, CA 92008.