William C. Marianes

William C. Marianes, 84, of Atlanta passed away peacefully on September 13, 2009.  The family will receive visitors from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at A.S. Turner & Sons in Decatur, followed by a  memorial (trisagion) service at 7:00 p.m.  The funeral service will occur at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, followed by interment at Floral Hills in Tucker.    

Mr. Marianes was born in Danville, Illinois and raised in Asprokambo and Athens, Greece. After World War II, he and his family returned to the United States where he moved to East Chicago, Indiana and married his wife of 60 years, Bess (Vambakas) Marianes.

Mr. Marianes lived for his family, and was extremely proud of his children (Connie Kratky and Bill Marianes), 2 granddaughters (Alexis and Eliana Marianes), 7 nieces and nephews (Tom, Dean and Jim Riskas, Tena Wallner, Jill McLellan, Gerald Marianes and Gaye Marianes-Fox), and his 5 Godchildren (Peter Karahalios, Dan and Johnny Lookretis, and Peter and Alexa Cappas). He served on the Parish Councils of St. George and St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Churches in East Chicago and Hammond, Indiana. He was a life-long member of the Order of AHEPA where he served in many offices.

He enjoyed traveling and visited every State in the U.S. and made many trips back to his homeland of Greece. He served as President of the Parish Council of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in East Chicago, Indiana and also served on the Parish Council of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Hammond, Indiana. He was a life-long member of the Order of AHEPA, and his Greek and Hellenic roots and traditions were important parts of his life.

Mr. Marianes retired from Inland Steel Company where he supervised programming and operations of main frame computers for many years. He and his wife moved to Atlanta in 1988 and he immediately became involved with the Mother Lodge of the AHEPA and the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation.

Mr. Marianes was preceded in death by his parents, Costa and Vasiliki Marianes, his siblings George Marianes and Nancy Riskas. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Bess Marianes (Atlanta), his daughter and son-in-law, Connie and Frank Kratky (Las Vegas), his son and daughter-in-law, Bill and Audrey Marianes (Atlanta) and his granddaughters, Alexis and Eliana Marianes.

In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to the Marianes Family Scholarship Fund which is a part of the AHEPA Chapter 1 Educational Foundation 7971 Magnolia Square, Sandy Springs, GA 30350. May his memory be eternal.