William Markert

William Winn "Bill" Markert, lover of life, passed away peacefully August 4, 2025, after a courageous fight with sudden onset, aggressive cancers in Piedmont Hospital, the same hospital where he and twin brother, Robert Callaway Markert were born October 15, 1942 to Jack Winn and Martha Callaway Markert.

Childhood for Bill was a happy time. He loved his neighbors, Y-Indian Guides and being outdoors. His Shady Valley residence became the sanctuary for many animals: pig, lamb, chickens, rabbits, and others. Bill enjoyed sales, even as a pre-teen. He set up a coca-cola stand and sold cokes to the workmen working on I-85 near their home. After attending North Fulton High School and LaGrange College, he lived in 6 states being Manager or Assistant Manager for S.S. Kresge stores (later K-Mart). His job was often opening a new store.

The next career for Bill was in Life Insurance and Employee Benefits with The Penn Mutual Company, along side his father, and later with Prudential Financial, making a total of 50 years in the insurance business. He earned the CLU designation and was a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Round Table.

A servant's heart led Bill to serve in a number of civic organizations helping others. He had lifelong friends from early days as an active Atlanta Jaycee, 17-year board member of the Decatur Family YMCA, where he was selected Man of the Year, 33-year commissioner of the Decatur Housing Authority, Board of Trustees of LaGrange College, where he received the Distinguished Service Alumni Award, serving in several capacities in the Buckhead Optimist Club for years. He was a graduate of Leadership DeKalb.

He was an active member of Haygood United Methodist Church in his early years, where some of his lifelong best friends also attended, and he later became an active member at Decatur First United Methodist Church, serving on many committees during his 40-year+ membership.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 48 "blissful years," Emilie Morris Markert, daughter Judy Markert Lore of Flower Mound, TX (Bart), and Rebecca Markert Wilcox of Brookhaven, GA (Ben), grandchildren Collin, Maggie (Ryan), Dean and Mason, twin Brother Bob (Woody), and sister Peggy (Floyd) Hubbell, and many special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his oldest child, Jack Thomas Markert.

A memorial service honoring Bill will be held at Decatur First United Methodist Church on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 2:00 with the Reverends Samuel Adams and Floyd Hubbell, brother-in-law officiating. A reception to celebrate his wonderful life, devoted to loving nature and serving others will be held at Druid Hills Golf Club starting at 3:30.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Decatur First Methodist Church (www.decaturfirst.org) or to LaGrange College (www.lagrangecollege.edu/give) or to the charity of your choice, in memory of Bill.