Dr. William (Bill) James Marek, M.D., M.P.H., 76 of California, MD passed away peacefully on June 13, 2013 in Leonardtown, MD.

He was born on May 27, 1937 in Baltimore, MD to the late William Paul and Christine Elizabeth Marek. He is also predeceased by his daughter Katherine (Katie) Lynn Marek.

He is survived by his wife JoEllen Ann Marek, whom he was married to for more than 47 years, his son David Michael Marek and his wife Rebecca (Becky) L. Marek, grandchildren Autumn L. Marek, Colton T. Marek, Logan M. Marek, Megan A. Williams and her husband Carl E. Williams III, and Charles (Chas) J. Haynes, III.

After graduating from the University of Maryland in 1960 with a B.S. in Microbiology, Bill worked as a Federal Agent for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for two years. In 1966, he graduated from the University Of Maryland - School of Medicine. After a medical residency at South Baltimore General Hospital he then became Director of the Nursing Home Administration Medicaid Program for the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene from 1968-1972. After graduating in 1972, from Johns Hopkins University with a Masters in Public Health, Dr. Marek then served as Health Officer for St. Mary's County, Maryland, a position he held for 24 years until his retirement in 1996.

Throughout his career, Bill found time to serve on numerous Boards and Commissions, including the Med Chi Public Health Committee and the Nursing Home Physician Training Committee. He was also a founding member of the Walden Sierra Board as well as the Three Oaks Homeless Shelter Board and a founding member and the first president of the Wildwood Village Condo Association.

He was a passionate Civil War buff and enjoyed researching Civil War Medical history and Family Genealogy.

The family will receive friends for Dr. Marek's Life Celebration on Monday, June 17, 2013, from 5-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7 p.m. at Brinsfield Funeral Home, 22955 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, MD. Mass will be said on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Our Lady's Church, 41348 Medley's Neck Road, Leonardtown, MD with interment to follow on Wednesday, June 19, 11:00 a.m. at Cedar Hill Cemetery, 5829 Ritchie Highway, Baltimore, MD.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make memorial contributions to any of the following: Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation, 426 "C" Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002; Health Share of St. Mary's, Box 1208, Leonardtown, MD 20650; and Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.