LAKE WYLIE - William Franklin (Bill) Markolf, 63, of Lake Wylie, S.C., was called home to be with his Lord following a courageous battle with cancer. He died Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010, surrounded by his loving family.

A memorial service will be at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, 2010, at Christ The King Church in Charlotte, N.C., and afterwards, a celebration of life gathering will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at River Hills Country Club

Bill was the son of the late Budell (Dink) and Anne Markolf of Louisville, Ky., where he was born on June 6, 1947. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his two precious angels, Joleigh Christine and Harry Joseph Markolf.

Bill met and married his high school sweetheart from Waggener High School, the beloved Brenda Joyce (Joy) McGaughey Markolf. He attended the University of Kentucky on a golf scholarship and was commissioned a Kentucky colonel in 1969. Bill was president of Markolf Enterprises which supplied and developed food to the government for over 30 years. Bill was a master mason and member of the Alpine Lodge 208, the Shriners International and the Red Fez Shrine Club.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Joy Markolf; one son, Beau Markolf and wife, Monica; two daughters, Sarah Lamb and husband, Todd, and Brittany Stegall and Ken Ponder; two sisters, Ambie Henderson of La Quinta, Calif., and Mimi Markolf of Louisville, Ky.; four grandsons; and three granddaughters.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.

Warlick Funeral Home is serving the Markolf family.