Wallace "Eck" Marsh

Wallace "Eck" Marsh, 77, of Russellville, died Wednesday, August 8, 2012, at Phoenix, Arizona. He began his journey on this earth on May 1, 1935, and was the first born son of Edna Edwards and Earle White of Russellville, Arkansas. He attended and graduated from LW Sullivan High School in 1954. He then joined the United States Air Force 77th division based in San Antonio, Texas where he served as a military police officer in Germany. Wallace returned from military duty and married Mary Ann Nichols. They were faithful members of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon under the direction of Rev. Delton Jones. He also served as a Mason in Russellville. He worked as a mechanic for Firestone Tire and Rubber Company for 17 years, and in 1987, relocated to Los Angeles, California and joined Pan Am airlines as a supervisor. He loved to take photos and always kept a camera with him, capturing hundreds of memories for his children over the years. He also loved music, with Blues and Jazz being his favorites. He was quite the handy man also, always working on his cars and a project around the house. Wallace was preceded in death by both his parents, his first wife Mary Ann, second wife Emma Jean, and grandson Taric Leonard. He leaves cherish his memory a son, Eric Marsh and his wife, Stephanie, of Maumelle; two daughters, Marquita Marsh of Russellville, and Valerie Whitman and her husband, Richard Jr., of Laveen, Arizona; 3 stepdaughters, Jacqueline, Felicia, and Katrina Williams, all of California; a stepson; Gregory, also of California; a brother, Robert Marsh Jr. and his wife, Myrtle, of Fort Smith; a sister Ollie White, of Russellville; 6 grandchildren, Marcus Johnson of Lake Jackson, Texas, Lacretia Marsh of Dallas, Texas, Brandon Peoples of Russellville, Eric Steffon Marsh of Maumelle, and Richard III and Rickaiya Whitman, both of Laveen; two nieces, Roxanne Marsh of Clarksville, and Amy Graham of Little Rock; a special friend, Doloris Clark of Long Beach, California; and a host of cousins and friends. The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, August 16, 2012, at the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Jerry Linton. Burial will be in Reed Cemetery, by Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, from 5-6 p.m., at the funeral home.