The Vineyard poet, writer and environmentalist whose lifelong passion to promote clean water inspired him to change his name, died over the weekend at his Katama home in Edgartown.
William Waterway, the Vineyard poet, writer and environmentalist whose lifelong passion to promote clean water on the Island and around the world inspired him to change his name, died over the weekend at his Katama home in Edgartown. He was 66. The cause of death was not immediately known.
Formerly named William Marks, he had lived on the Vineyard since the 1970s and had pursued a number of careers. He worked as a water quality planner at the Martha’s Vineyard Commission during the commission’s early years and later founded his own environmental research firm. He founded the Martha’s Vineyard Magazine, serving as publisher and editor before selling it to the Vineyard Gazette. He was actively involved in historic preservation for the Vineyard’s lighthouses. In recent years he became interested in poetry, both writing verse himself and organizing poet groups on the Island. He was instrumental in creating the Martha’s Vineyard Poet Laureate, an honorary post.
On a trip across country after college — 7,000 miles by horse.
On a trip across country after college — 7,000 miles by horse.
His varied life experiences included a 7,000-mile journey on horseback across the country soon after graduating from college.
“I had people tell me, there’s no money in ecology,” he told the Gazette in a 2010 interview. “But I knew I couldn’t live with all the rules, restrictions, pretensions. I wanted to be free. For me to have the freedom to go where I wanted, when I wanted. To help the other life forms that I grew up with.”
William Marks grew up in New Jersey on an organic farm. In 1971 he enrolled at Fairleigh Dickinson University on a lacrosse scholarship where he studied business management. But during his sophomore year, a chance encounter with a fish kill in a river changed the course of his life.
As recounted in the Gazette interview, he was riding his motorcycle to school on a spring day when he noticed dead fish in a river along the highway. Seized by curiosity, he stopped to investigate and traced the source of the kill to a highway project further down the road. The discovery later led to a full-blown investigation and prosecution of a paper company. And a young college student named William Marks was credited for bringing it all about.
Mr. Waterway played a very active role in the Gay Head Light relocation effort.
Mr. Waterway played a very active role in the Gay Head Light relocation effort.
After college he worked for the city of Newark as an ecologist and environmental planner, a rare job in its day. But he soon found office work confining and quit, giving up all nearly all his possessions and flying to California to embark on a cross-country trip by horseback.
“The ride covered 7,000 miles, from California to Maine, passing through thick forests, vast deserts, bustling cities and quiet suburbs. The idea was to investigate the state of the nation’s water resources at ground level, as well as focus public attention on the issue of clean water,” the Gazette profile recounted.
In 1978 he moved to the Vineyard, living first in West Tisbury and then moving to Katama where he would make his home for the next three-plus decades. He was hired as a water quality planner for the MVC. Later, he went on to found the Vineyard Environmental Research Institute, among other things establishing the Island’s first state-certified water testing laboratory.
With Jane Goodall on the Vineyard in 2006.
With Jane Goodall on the Vineyard in 2006.
At the age of 34 he suffered a heart attack and went through another life and career change, liquidating his savings to found Martha’s Vineyard Magazine and a sister magazine on Nantucket called Nantucket Journal. The cover story in the inaugural issue of the Vineyard magazine was a piece by CBS new anchor Walter Cronkite, a longtime Edgartown summer resident. The subject was naturally water.
Ongoing health issues caused Mr. Marks to sell the magazine. But his fascination with water continued unabated; he even legally changed his name to William Waterway. In 2001 he published the Holy Order of Water, an encyclopedic compilation of his life’s work around water.
In 2010 he had an essay published in National Geographic about water. To celebrate the book, Mr. Waterway organized a two-day event on the Vineyard with film, music, readings and a panel discussion. Titled Life Is Water, it was a classic William Waterway affair — sprawling, intellectually vibrant, offbeat and undeniably important.
More recently, he wrote a book titled Gay Head Lighthouse: the First Light on Martha's Vineyard that chronicled the history of the Aquinnah beacon. Mr. Waterway had been active in saving the lighthouse as far back as the 1980s and was part of the committee that successfully orchestrated its move back from the eroding cliffs earlier this year.
“I never saw what I was doing as a mission,” he told the Gazette in the 2010 interview. “I’m doing the thing that makes me feel alive, gives me purpose.”
Comments
Rest in Peace William.
Betsy EdgartownRest in Peace William.
A Vineyard soul that will
Doug TisburyA Vineyard soul that will truly be missed. Fair winds and calm seas, William.
Please keep a heavenly eye on
Peggy Oak BluffsPlease keep a heavenly eye on your earthly concerns which are so vital to all.
Such a dear spirit. It will
Shelley Oak BluffsSuch a dear spirit. It will be a while before I can sip or gaze upon water without thinking of him. Thank you for being, William.
As Shelley says, I too will
Bob MacLean Vineyard HavenAs Shelley says, I too will think often and deeply of William, as I have earlier today, each time, when drinking a glass of water...
Thank you, dear water-spirit William, for all your love and passion!
William Marks Waterway was an
Fred Domont EdgartownWilliam Marks Waterway was an extraordinary person. His passion, commitment and fortitude for safe drinking water is recognized internationally as well as locally. He was an actor, businessman, editor, musician, television host, publisher, writer, artist and government employee among other things.
It was a privilege to be his friend.
Well brother, you worked hard
Brother of William Sydney, AustraliaWell brother, you worked hard for what you have achieved in your life. No one knows you better than I since we are only one year apart. You have inspired many for your love of nature and for all what it has to offer. Please go and rest in peace for your journey on earth has come to an end, but you will be surely missed by your family and the people that knew you as William Waterway.
I got to know William when we
Jay Lagemann ChilmarkI got to know William when we were both founding board members of MVTV. He was one of very few people who had been making videos for the cable TV station (Channel 8 back then). He love to communicate and knew that broadcast video was a great way to reach people. He loved the Vineyard and always wanted to do what he could to make it a better place. When you drink your next glass of clean, clear, delicious Vineyard ground water give thanks to William for working tirelessly to help preserve that precious resource.
I will miss you William. Rest
Candy EdgartownI will miss you William. Rest in peace my friend.
Thank you Julia Wells and
Sarah Oldham (Daughter) Columbus, OHThank you Julia Wells and Vineyard Gazette for the well written article about my father. The article really summarized my father's life work, and I appreciate it. I also thank those who wrote comments. It is nice to know that he was loved by so many people. I will deeply miss my father and his life will live on through me, my husband, and his two grandchildren.
Dear Sarah,
Jane Norton ChilmarkDear Sarah,
My condolences on your loss. His light will continue to shine, first red,then white, over and over again high above the Aquinnah cliffs.
Dear Sarah, Julia did a fine
Betty Martin ChilmarkDear Sarah, Julia did a fine job at summarizing a life that encompassed so much. I am one of the currently 500 members of his Martha's Vineyard Poetry Society on FB. There are many dedications and conversations ongoing there and likely will be for some time. He will be so missed by all who knew him. He cultivated a niche for artists with his MVPS that gave us all an "island" on the island to visit when we needed to tap into some kind of community which is as vital to artists who require so much solitude to create. I once wrote a poem about this and entitled it "A Garden of Light" I called him the gardener, as he'd plowed up an internet page field for us to grow in. I'm so sorry for your loss but feel your extension of his life blended with one he made. In Light on the Water, Betty
Sorry he couldn't stay longer
Chris coombs Jacksonville rd towaco njSorry he couldn't stay longer .
My deepest sympathy for your
Betsy EdgartownMy deepest sympathy for your loss.
Dear Sarah, My husband and I
Jennifer Oak BluffsDear Sarah, My husband and I will always remember your Dad as a very gentle, spiritual and generous soul. He created community wherever he went and will be very much missed.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sarah, I met your father a
Jesse Fink Katama BaySarah, I met your father a few years back when he swam to our dock and we chatted for quite a while and then started an email relationship. I loved his spirit and adventure, and focus on water. We shared that. If someone is organizing a memorial on Island and curating his work can I be notified. His spirit must continue to inspire others to follow. I will miss your dad when I look down the Bay and he is not there. Jesse Fink
I met Bill at a joint book
Bijan C. Bayne Washington D.C.I met Bill at a joint book signing in Cincinnati, and we remained in touch. I just saw him at a lawn party the Sunday before Labor Day. I do believe his was a life fully experienced. Sad to hear.
My Dear Water Bro... You Will
Sharon Lake Balboa, CAMy Dear Water Bro... You Will Live On In My Heart Forever... Peace, Love, Blessings & Light... R.I.P.
William was a beautiful Soul
Paul Samuel Dolman EdgartownWilliam was a beautiful Soul and I will cherish our every encounter... whether brief or the times we engaged in one of those deep immersions of words...
Heavens, it was only weeks ago that we shared a nice moment at Morning Glory Farm... the warm smile and the kind presence were a trademark of a lovely man who will be dearly missed...
His tireless work to save our
rob quigley stroudsburg paHis tireless work to save our most precious resource will forever be his legacy. His classic work "The Holy Order of Water" should be required reading for all college students majoring in Enviromental Science,Ecology& Nutrition.Our water brother will be missed but never forgotten.RIP William
I am so sorry to learn this
Ruddyduck EdgartownI am so sorry to learn this news. William was a wonderful gentleman, whom I met in a most curious fashion. We had rented a home near William's, quite a number of years ago. Our children were quite young at the time and had decided to practice baking home-made chocolate chip cookies, in an effort (later successful) to win a ribbon at the Agricultural Fair. As we were sampling the practice cookies one evening, William swam by, accepted the invitation to sample the cookies, and graciously provided wise counsel in the art of baking. All while swimming. He repeated the swim/taste/advise routine for many subsequent days, each with his wonderfully warm spirit. The children and I say thank you and Godspeed. Our condolences to his family and friends, of whom I am certain there are many.
Rest with sweet peace William
Sylvia Jackson AquinnahRest with sweet peace William Waterway...Thank you for sharing your talents, passion, wisdom, commitment and concern for the creative process and more importantly, our interaction with nature, especially Water. Your light will continue to illuminate others--thank you and God bless.
I have always been inspired
Rod Eiland Krug ColoradoI have always been inspired by your kind spirit my friend. RIP and we will play our flutes again in another dimension....
Thank you William for all
Ellie O'Keefe Milton, MAThank you William for all your love and inspiration.. You will be missed but you have changed the world for me personally and for the greater consciousness.. We are grateful for your presence here, for your music, light, energy and great sight. Peace and love to you!
Safe journeys William.
Sandra BostonSafe journeys William.
Thank you for giving your boyant creative energies and water wisdoms and may you find fluid peace and chocolate cakes.
A true gentleman whom I had
Matt ChilmarkA true gentleman whom I had the pleasure of working with one summer at the MVC back in 1980. I've always remembered how he made that a positive, educational and enjoyable experience for a 20 year old college kid. I will miss the occasional unexpected chance meetings with William. Rest in peace my friend.
"Water is the ink that writes
Cynthia Bloomquist West Tisbury"Water is the ink that writes the poetry of life" - William Waterway
Of course he lived here on Martha's Vineyard, where our connection to water is felt so strongly.
William was always quick to point out that he had testified at the UN on water. He created the concept of the Waterway Cycle, a new definition of the Earth's water cycle that unifies three cycles: oceanic, atmospheric, and cosmic.
He played the music of water on his flutes and shared the beauty and precious nature of this life-giving resource.
William was a dear friend and
Stephen Hart Chilmark MassWilliam was a dear friend and teacher of the Native American flute to me.We have performed together on numerous occasions with me playing drums to his flute playing and with him playing flute to my piano and guitar music.I just recently got the pleasure of visiting with him two weekends ago up at the beach at Dogfish bar where we talking about his horseback riding adventure and the start up of his new book recounting the journey.We were thinking it would make a great movie.I wish you a smooth and grateful journey to the other side my friend.You will be missed.You can see one of our performances on U Tube at Stephen Hart Chilmark Community Center Pot Luck
Condolences on the loss of
Jackie ChilmarkCondolences on the loss of your friend. Could you please post the YouTube link for any performances with William? I could not find it. Many thanks for sharing with us all.
William was a primo
Arnie Reisman Vineyard HavenWilliam was a primo facilitator, a champion of causes who liked to make things happen, an empathetic soul, an entrepreneur with a poet's spirit. He has left a vital legacy as well as a deep hole that will require several others to fill - and I sincerely hope they can. The best way to honor him is to keep all his wonderful efforts going, from global consciousness about the importance of water to the local consciousness about the importance of poetry. He will be sorely missed.
To contribute in this world
dick pratt edgartownTo contribute in this world is epitomized by Bill Marks continuing presence in this world--We are all caught by surprise by his passing and now reflect on what he did while here among us--I will miss the times we spent at the Y --not working out--but just schmoozing about all sorts of things--He has left indelible Marks---!!!
A gentle man of action who
Michele Lazerow Farmingdale, ME. Formerly of Oak Bluffs.A gentle man of action who committed himself to preserving and supporting the most essential resources - both natural and human. He made life an art, and we are so much the better for his precious time here. Soar on, William Marks Waterway.
I am immensely sad as I just
Anna Edey West TisburyI am immensely sad as I just now learned about William's passing - such a truly extraordinairy man, such amazingly diverse yet interconnected talents, accomplishments. It is really hard to fathom how much he did, created and contributed in his life. We have all benefited in so many ways from his work - may it long linger for the benefit of coming generations. I am so sad and so deeply grateful, William
William truly loved his
raye king Plymouth, formerly Oak BluffsWilliam truly loved his precious GAIA, THE VINEYARD, and all of us. His insightful energy lives on in us.
William was/is an icon of
David White West TisburyWilliam was/is an icon of what an individual can embody in the ecology of a cause. Environmentalism spun off into artistry, poetry limned by a Native flute (a soundtrack for much of the relatively short time I knew him). Free spirit is an inadequate qualifier. Mer-man is better. Public dowser into the world visible, out our front door, is best. And so from Apollinaire to William:
Sous le pont Mirabeau coule la Seine
Et nos amours
Faut-il qu'il m'en souvienne
La joie venait toujours après la peine
Vienne la nuit sonne l'heure
Les jours s'en vont je demeure
Wow, all those people moved
richard toole oak bluffsWow, all those people moved by his life and now our loss. William Marks Waterway was a true Island Character. Always had a smile and time for conversation. What is Mother Nature's plan for him now?
What a blessing this man was
Steven StarrAs we began our journey on FLOW: For Love of Water, William surfaced as one of our earliest influences, co-conspirators and brothers. What a blessing this man was in our lives; his loving heart and gentle passion infused our journey with a sense of sacredness, he walked the walk and talked the talk, and taught us things about water that we shared with the world. A lovely excerpt with him can be found at the 3:00 minute mark. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vvtJV4rKGQ
Love and light to him on his journey home.
Steven
William was probably the
Christo Legge Vineyard HavenWilliam was probably the biggest supporter of mine,when I started to write.I thank him for that.Mostly,I feel sorry for the ones left here on earth,who won't ever hear his flute-playing or hear some arcane fact that no one else but William would know.I think he almost couldn't wait for the next journey.The next thousand footsteps.Send on,William.Drop us a line when you can.
I remember "Billy" as a
Lillian (Circkot) Lundy KYI remember "Billy" as a classmate many many years ago. He was an outstanding individual with massive potential even then! RIP!!
My wife, Karin, and I first
Dean Rosenthal Vineyard HavenMy wife, Karin, and I first met William out on Moshup Trail, one winter day while he was photographing and we were hiking on the beach. The three of us were the only ones there. He immediately took interest in the conversation we held and wanted to bring us into his community – the wonderful island community we have come to be included in – and celebrate the fortune of new friendships. He was a deep and active man and left the island and this world a profound legacy. Karin and I knew him as a fellow musician, thinker and doer, and kindred Vineyard spirit. He is deeply missed.
William was a doer, a
Richard Knabel West TisburyWilliam was a doer, a facilitator, the kind of person who made things, good things, happen. Oh, how we sorely need more people like William. He will be greatly missed. Among his many good deeds was his facilitating the new MVTV building. He was a big supporter of community television, and without him the building would have been greatly delayed. He came early to the cause of clean water, and none of us knew then how long a struggle it was going to be. He leaves us with a great legacy, and the inspiration to keep fighting the good fight. R.I.P, William. You left us too soon.
Having just spoken with Uncle
Nicole Rolph (niece)Having just spoken with Uncle Billy last month about the Marks family's history and departed relatives it is difficult to believe he has passed on to join them. I am extremely proud to have been able to call such an intelligent, artistic and thoughtful man my uncle and know even though he is no longer here he will go on to accomplish amazing things. Until we meet again...
I was shocked to learn of
John Alley West TisburyI was shocked to learn of Bill's passing. I met him when he first came to the Vineyard and lived at Scrubby Neck. He helped Margaret Littlefield of the West Tisbury Conservation Commission in our joint quest to secure Greenlands to preserve the water quality standards it proved to be sucessfull, his early MVTV ventures etc. Bill went on to spread the word about the enviorment to many people near and far. Arnie Reisman's final comment sums it up for me.
Billy my Dear Brother you
Patricia Griffin North CarolinaBilly my Dear Brother you accomplished so much in your lifetime and sadly taken too young. My heart is heavy and may you be at peace and never forgotten.
Rest in peace, William and
Polly Selman Turks & Caicos IslandsRest in peace, William and thank you for all you accomplished in your short time here. My condolences and heartfelt prayers are with the Marks family.
William Waterway was a doer
Kristin Zern West TisburyWilliam Waterway was a doer and we don't have enough doers in the world. He was a person with a tremendous creative energy and force. And the Vineyard was a perfect place for him to live out his dreams for the world. It was shocking to read Cynthia Riggs Facebook post that William had passed away. But I am happy to learn that he was able to accomplish so much after suffering a heart attack at the young age of 34. Clearly we were all blessed to have him here with us for an extra 32 years. Rest in Peace.
I attended High School with
Jeanne Heinke Branchville, NJI attended High School with Bill and was very close to him in friendship during those years. I lost touch but reconnected at a reunion and was in awe of his accomplishments. I have so enjoyed staying in touch with him recently through FB. My heart is heavy. I send prayers and love to his family.
I'll always remember the time
Bob Dusa Oak Bluffs, MAI'll always remember the time shoppers stopped what they were doing in the isles of the Edgartown Stop & Shop one mid-winter day when Bill began reciting provocative passages of his poetry over the store's PA system. It reminded me of the scene in the movie, "The Shawshank Redemption", when Tim Robbin's character, Andy Dufrane, played the Italian opera on the record player behind the locked warden's office doors to the surprise of the prison inmates in the "yard" & throughout the prison compound as they all looked up in wonderment. He had a magical way of touching people, no matter what medium he employed. Sail on the waters of eternity, William; you've left your indelible "Marks" in so many ways.
i met Bill through my brother
Colin Ewing edgartowni met Bill through my brother Doug, who worked at the MVC around the same time. Although I didn't know Bill well, my brother always spoke very highly of him and said he was right on in being concerned with water on MV and all over the world.
RIP Bill, and I'm sure my brother will be glad to show you around up there!
I met Bill in high school.
Nancy Sims Young Amelia Island, FloridaI met Bill in high school. He was a kind and gentle friend. I will always remember the last time I saw him. It was in '87 on MV. I can't believe he's gone, but I guess we all know he's really still with us. RIP my friend.
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