William Wallace Markham

1922 - 2018

William Wallace Markham, age 95, of Fallbrook, CA, passed away on June, 29 2018 in Fallbrook.

On July 8, 2018, a memorial will be given during Sunday morning services at Living Waters Christian Fellowship in Fallbrook, CA. Visitation will begin at 10:30AM on July 9, 2018 at 4297 Fallsbrae Road, Fallbrook, CA. Pastor Brian Snider will officiate at that time.

Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:30 AM on July 10, 2018 at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518 with friends and family officiating. Burial will follow at Riverside National Cemetery. Arrangements are by Berry-Bell & Hall, Fallbrook, CA.

William W. Markham was born in Pueblo, CO to Charles & Joyce Markham of Florida July 9, 1922. His education began in a one-room schoolhouse in Nunn, CO. He graduated high school in Nunn in 1940. He took several liberal arts and business management courses from Colorado State and Pierce College in Woodland Hills. He was a talented musician, singer and performer. His voice was broadcasted on the radio and played in big bands as a trumpeter and singer. From 1942 – 1947, he served as a merchant marine during WWII as a Fireman-water tender for Engineers.

He married Edith Nell Minton in March 1945 in Southern California. He worked as a laborer at Gates Rubber Company in Los Angeles then took a position with Lockheed. In 1947, he moved back to the family farm in Nunn, CO to establish a dairy until the blizzard of 1949 destroyed his cattle. After the devastation he found employment in Liberty MO for the Wabash Railroad, and a short period of time with General Motors in Liberty then decided to return to the Colorado farm to harvest wheat and milo while working for Land Air for another 3 years. In 1955, the family moved to Brighton, CO. He took a position with United Airlines directing a crew of aircraft mechanics involved in the modification of DC-6 aircraft. He also sold burial plots and worked for Aircraft Radio & Accessories, Inc. In 1958, the family moved to Gardena, CA to work for Precision Sheet-Metal, Inc. in Los Angeles, CA. In 1962, the family moved to Canoga Park, CA. He worked in the Data Systems Division for RCA as a Senior Manufacturing Cost Estimator & Pricing Specialist in Van Nuys until he was promoted to General Manager for RCA, Southern CA Division. RCA moved operations to Japan and he found himself seeking employment for two years. After Bill & Edith’s marriage dissolved, he married Katherine Costanza in 1966 of Hammond, LA and remained married until her death on August 15, 2011. He ultimately gained employment with Lockheed and finished his career at Lockheed and retired at the age of 72. He moved from his home in Woodland Hills, CA to Fallbrook, CA in 1991.

William W. Markham was a devout Christian throughout his entire life. He gave his heart to the Lord early in his life and inspired many with his faith. He served and supported several foreign and domestic ministries, churches and corporations as a teacher, mentor, advisor, speaker and motivator.

William Markham was a father of six. He is survived by his son William Markham II, and three daughters Cynthia Gage, Jeannie Boydston and Sharon Boydston. 11 Grandchildren, 24 Great-Grandchildren and 9 great-great grandchildren. His two daughters, Victoria Markham and Marie Deliberto Smith passed in Nov 2010 and Jan 2017, respectively.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be given to Jeremy Gage (Bill Markham's grandson) for his mission school in Mexico thru the Living Waters Christian Fellowship, 2000 Reche Rd, Fallbrook, Ca 92028