He was a graduate of the former Swarthmore High School class of 1948 and served as a volunteer firefighter with the Swarthmore Fire and Protective Association. He left Washington College to enlist in the US Army during the Korean War. After serving in the Army he returned to Wallingford and joined his father’s business, Wilson Oil. He became Vice President of the company and later owner when his father retired. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Media, The St. Andrew’s Society, The Union League of Philadelphia specifically the Youth Work Foundation, Wilmington Country Club, Better Home Heat Council, Rehoboth Beach Country Club, Pennsylvania Petroleum Association, Rolling Green Country Club, Sons of the American Revolution, and the Wallingford Community Arts Center. He had been a member of Swarthmore Presbyterian Church since childhood.
Marvel was an avid golfer and hunter. He and his wife loved to travel and had visited all seven continents. He also enjoyed pastimes such as reading about WWII & military history, listening to big band music, dancing to swing jazz, spending time with his grandchildren, European performance automobiles, Labrador Retrievers, and collecting USA silver coins.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years Sally (nee Bingham) Wilson, son Garrett Marvel of Brooklyn, NY, daughters Betsy O’Connell of West Chester, PA, and Sara Jane Timmerman of Deland, FL, a brother Layton Wilson of Avalon, NJ, and 5 grandchildren.
A visitation will be held from 6:30-8:30 pm Thursday, February 14 at Carr Funeral Home, 935 South Providence Road, Wallingford. A memorial service will be held at Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, 727 Harvard Avenue Swarthmore, on Friday, February 15 at 3 pm. A reception will follow at the Wallingford Community Arts Center, 414 Plush Mill Road, Wallingford.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either the Youth Work Foundation of the Union League of Philadelphia (www.ulheritagecenter.org) or the Media Rotary Foundation (www.mediarotary.org)
Published in The News Journal on Feb. 14, 2013
In Memorium
In Memorium – Henry “Hank” T. Nacrelli
In Memorium – Victor Menghetti – Rotarian since 1946
In Memorium – Abigail Moore, Honorary Rotarian
In Memorium – Robert E. Moore, Jr., Rotarian
In Memorium – Thomas Gregory, Rotarian
In Memorium – Robert Stahl, Rotarian
In Memorium – Linda Darrach, Rotarian
In Memorium – Michael J. Campbell, Rotarian since 2010
In Memorium – Fran Smith, Rotarian since 2002
In Memorium – Doris Kane, wife of Gene Kane
In Memorium – Bob Dimond, Rotarian since 2000
In Memorium – Alexander E. “Alex” Karkenny
In Memorium – Ed Beadle, Rotarian since 1985
In Memorium – John D. “Jack” Hontz, Rotarian since 1989
In Memorium – Stanley T. “Tom” Hibberd III, Rotarian since 1976
In Memorium – James H. Wallace, Rotarian since 2010
In Memorium – George S. Saulnier, Rotarian since 1960
In Memorium – Joseph Kleschick, Rotarian since 1982
In Memorium – Samuel William “Bill” Gross
In Memorium – William K. Davis, Rotarian since 1995
In Memorium – Marvel Wilson, Jr., Rotarian since 2009
In Memorium – O. Warren Higgins, Rotarian since 1981
In Memorium – David E. Pergrin, Rotarian since 2000
In Memorium – John Vairo, Rotarian since 1971
In Memorium – Ted D. Hadley, Jr.
In Memorium – Dongkyu “Don” Bak, Rotarian since 1980
In Memorium – Walton B. Hill, Rotarian since 1984
In Memorium – Lynne L. Green, Rotarian since 2001
In Memorium – Robert G. “Bob” Kesel, Rotarian since 1980
In Memorium – Walter M. Strine, Sr.