Willard Madison Marvel

CARY, N.C. - Willard Madison Marvel of Cary, formerly of Milton, Del., passed away Easter Sunday, April 8, 2007, in Rex Hospital in Raleigh after a long and courageous battle with ALS.

Mr. Marvel was born in Milton, son of Ruth Reed Marvel of Milton and the late Harry W. Marvel.

He served in the U.S. Air Force for eight years, before completing a degree in computer science. He was a manager in the technical support division of Perdue Inc. for the last 17 years of his career.

Mr. Marvel had a passion for cycling, and before his illness, he and his wife spent many hours riding their tandem bicycle and planning vacations around cycling events, with a wide circle of friends.

He was an active member of Genesis U.M. Church in Cary, N.C., and loved his church family.

He was a devoted son, father and friend.

A tireless champion for quality living with ALS (Lou Gehrig"s disease), Mr. Marvel inspired all who knew him. He was a role model for many affected by this terrible disease and kept his wry sense of humor. He spent much of his time involved with ALS support groups, planning fundraisers and participating in ALS Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C. He will be greatly missed.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his cherished wife, Carol Adams; two children, Sharon Johnston and Jeffrey Marvel and his wife, Blair; two step children, Kimberly Small and Clayton Small and his wife, Ann; two brothers and two sisters-in-law, James and Marion Marvel and Phillip and Beverly Marvel; a sister and a brother-in-law, Amy and Carlton Smith; five nieces, Bethany Marvel, Courtney Marvel, Katie Marvel, Kelly Marvel and Natalie Marvel; and a nephew, Jake Smith.

A celebration of life will be 1 p.m. Saturday in Grace Church, 514 Union St., Milton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the ALS Association, c/o Jim "Catfish" Hunter Chapter, 120-101 Penmarc Drive, Raleigh, NC 27603.