Bill Marks was a real gent and leading light in the outdoors world in the Cairngorms
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The funeral is taking place today (Thursday) of a one-time leading light in the outdoors community in Badenoch and Strathspey.
Bill Marks, formerly of Skye of Curr by Dulnain Bridge, passed away peacefully aged 89 on February 15 with his family by his side.
Mr Marks and his wife, Mouse, moved away from the strath to Shropshire in 2017 to be nearer their family.
As a young man he trained at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned with the Royal Engineers in 1959.
Mr Marks spent his Army career travelling the world and followed his passion for the outdoors enjoying climbing, diving, caving and ski mountaineering and leading numerous expeditions to the Alps.
His final posting was his dream job at Joint Services Mountain Training Centre in Grantown.
After ‘retiring’ in 1989, he continued serving with the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team and other organisations for many more years.
He worked locally for Glenmore Lodge, Speyside Trust Badaguish, and Highland Guides.
Mr Marks was a very active and committed trustee of Speyside Trust from 1996 until 2011.
Former Badaguish Outdoor Centre chief Andrew MacKenzie paid tribute: “Bill enjoyed sharing his passion for outdoor adventure with people less fortunate and spent huge energy and time helping and supporting others to enjoy being outdoors in the Cairngorms.
“He was instrumental setting up and organising the Corrieyairack Challenge fundraising event to support the Badaguish Holiday Care Lodge.”
Depute Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team leader Willie Anderson said: “Bill was a real gentleman and really nice guy.
“He was training officer with the rescue team for quite a few years and brought a real zest and new level of professionalism with him because of his military training and vast experience.
"He had a lot of up-to-date ideas. He was an amazingly popular bloke. It is not always easy for some to transition from the military back to civilian life.
“He also did an awful lot of charity work."
Mr Marks was also a keen Scottish Country dance enthusiast in Aviemore.
He is survived by son Robin, daughter Lise and grandsons Dylan and Benjamin.
His funeral is be helding at 11.30am at Pentrebychan Crematorium in Wrexham.
The family recognise the difficulty to attend the farewell and hope that friends and colleagues might value the opportunity to pay their respects by supporting their Just Giving Page to raise funds for Cairngorms Mountain Rescue Team in his memory.
Daughter Lise said: "Dad was a dedicated member of Cairngorm Mountain Rescue team for many years and was most at home in the mountains.
"The family would like to honour his memory by supporting a cause close to his heart."
