Who is Bill Marx

Who is Bill Marx?

Born in 1933 in Springfield, Illinois but lived in St. Louis since 6 months old. Went to Catholic grade schools and played kick-the-tin-can but graduated from Normandy High in 1952.

Rebuilt Ford engine, but put rods in wrong cylinders. Needed mechanic to fix it.

Served in Army from 1953-1955. Got all the way up to corporal (like corporal punishment) in Combat Engineers!

Married Betty in 1953 and have 3 wonderful children and 5 beautiful grandchildren. They like me because "he is silly" and "I can beat him at match cards".

Used my G.I. bill to attend Washington University, St. Louis. With great support by Betty (took care of kids and house), and after 10 years of night school, received Bachelor of Science Degree with Math Major (can't keep checkbook). Later attended graduate school at University of Missouri-St. Louis studying Business Administration, concentrating on financial management and marketing.

Lost money in an ill-fated venture in manufacturing fiberglass burial vaults. Not cut out for that. Betty tried to tell me.

Always did my own taxes. Loved working with numbers. (Betty won't let me do the checkbook though; I forget to make entries).

Moved to Lake St. Louis with a 550 acre lake. Bought an inboard/outboard boat.

Designed and built some stained glass windows. Liked working on the cutting edge.

Worked at McDonnell Douglas as an Engineer, with much of last 10 years in advanced design of missiles, including marketing new designs to the Department of Defense. Took early retirement in 1992 after 32 years. Had a nice party and received some very nice gifts. Guess they were happy I was leaving.

Definition of a boat is, 'hole in the water that you dump money into'.

Installed fireplace, built huge screened porch, remodeled bathroom. Flunked wallpapering.

Started new career as licensed Realtor for Coldwell Banker immediately after retirement from McDonnell. Pretty successful but decided to branch out by using the Internet for Real Estate. I was the 3rd Realtor in St. Louis to have a Home Page.

Took lots of classes through Coldwell Banker; Buyers Agency, FHA/VA loans, Display your home for sale, legal pitfalls, ethics, etc. They were free.

Sold my boat. Became instantly 'richer'.

Noticed Realtors hated computers. Accepted post as Chairman of newly-formed Technology Committee of my Board of Realtors. Nice challenge, like pulling teeth, but did ok.

Started RealNet, Inc. in 1995 with my son the computer genius, and operated Internet servers concentrating on Real Estate (www.realweb.com, www.realnet-inc.com, and Real Estate software at www.realnetstore.com ).

Wrote a Windows® software program called SmartSeller that provides the Legal contract forms and help for home sellers. Hope to make big bucks. (expect different outcome than burial vaults)

Passed my Broker exam. Definitely customer oriented, so contact me. I'll respond. bmarx@realweb.com

Wrote a couple more software programs; SmartPrice (does a CMA), SmartInvestor (evaluates Rental properties for investment), SellNet (simple calculator for what's left after closing).

Moved to Villa (single-story condo). Now I don't cut the grass, paint, or shovel snow.

Went to Spain. Had to use up my Frequent Flyer miles. Nice time but didn't know how to say 'NO' in Spanish. Designed a Family web site called www.themarxfamily.net .

Sold RealNet, Inc. and retired again. Now researching my roots and playing golf.

I'm having a blast!