Marshall Echols

Marshall Echols III, 90, of Crystal River, Florida, slipped away peacefully to be with the Lord on April 27, 2014, surrounded by his loving family at Hospice of Citrus County, Lecanto, Florida. He was born Feb. 19, 1924, in Brookhaven, Mississippi, to the late Marshall and Winiford (McCracken) Echols Jr. Marshall served his country honorably during World War II and the Korean conflict in the U.S. Marine Corps for over 22 years as an aerial navigator, attaining the rank of master gunnery sergeant prior to discharge. Afterward, he became a leading window (or as he would say, “Winnder”) salesman for the Caradco Window Company, based out of Dubuque, Iowa, and was a lifetime member of Disabled American Veterans, Sarasota, Florida, chapter. He arrived in this area six years ago, coming from Raleigh, North Carolina, and attended Shepherd of the Hills Episcopal Church in Lecanto. He enjoyed airplanes, playing poker, reading, traveling and especially betting on football games with his best friend of many years, Mike Kester.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Irene Mimms. He is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Betty Echols. Other survivors include his son W. Joseph Echols of Floral City, Florida; his daughter Melody LeAnn Echols of Willingboro, New Jersey; stepsons David Bebeau of Crystal River, Jon Bebeau of Tampa, Florida, and William Bebeau of Vienna, Virginia; and stepdaughter Judy Stange of Greensboro, North Carolina; his brother Robert L. Echols of Paducah, Kentucky; 15 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and his much-loved three-legged cat, “Pirate.”
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May, 6, at the Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home with Crematory, Inverness, Florida. Committal services with military honors will follow the service at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida. The family wishes to express its extreme gratitude to Hospice of Citrus County for making Marshall’s final days ones of respect, dignity and peace. He will be greatly missed. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Marshall’s name to Hospice of Citrus County, P.O. Box 641270, Beverly Hills, FL 34464.