William D. Marks

Bill was born at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, Fl, to Roslyn R. and Paul H. Marks on October 13, 1949. He grew up in the area now known as Pinecrest near one of Florida's oldest tourist attractions, the original Parrot Jungle.

Bill's passion and talent for music were evident at an early age. He could play any instrument he picked up.

Bill attended Miami Palmetto Sr. High School where he was a member of the marching band. Later, he attended Florida State University and was a proud member of the Florida State University Marching Chiefs.

Bill was also a member of several rock garage bands in the 60's, and traveled on USO tours as a member of a big band orchestra. He was offered a recording contract at United Artists, but it required him to leave Florida, so he gave it up and returned to buy one of the oldest record stores in Central Florida, “The Music Box”, located in the 300 block of Park Avenue in Winter Park. He expanded the store to be one of the first stereo and HIFI stores in Central Florida with several locations including Daytona Beach.

Bill was a true audiophile who loved to share his enthusiasm for high-end audio. This passion led him to open one of the finest audio stores in Florida on the northern end of Park Avenue, The Sound Gallery.

In the mid 1980’s, Bill turned his attention to the Real Estate arena. He opened and operated a Century 21 Franchise in Altamonte Springs for many years before starting his own independent brokerage, Marks Realty Services.

He was an avid sportsman as both a player and a fan, playing racquetball, tennis and golf. He was an ardent supporter of FSU football and the Orlando Magic.

In his later years, Bill became a certified barbecue judge for both the Florida Barbecue Association and Kansas City Barbecue Society and was named a Jack Daniels Tennessee Squire.

Bill fought advanced prostate cancer for 18 years. His ability to research the newest treatments and find world renowned experts in the disease coupled with his determination to battle the disease for all those many years are a testament to both his strength of will and his love of life.

Bill is survived by his devoted wife, Martha Hall in Sanford, FL, his stepson, Nicolas Palacios his wife, Nicole, and his loving brother, Howard S. Marks and his wife, Aurore Brunet.

He will be buried at Oak Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Lake Mary. Services will be private.