Family Weekly Founder William H. Marriott Dies

William H. Marriott, founder of Family Weekly, a widely circulated Sunday newspaper supplement, and several Southern California magazines and supplements, died Wednesday at age 76 in Laguna Hills where he made his home, his family announced.

Marriott launched Family Weekly in 1953, and by the time he sold it six years later, its circulation had climbed into the millions, said Marriott’s son, William Jr.

The magazine now is published as USA Weekend.

Marriott went on to found New Worlds of Irvine magazine and a series of annual “This Is . . . “ newspaper supplements, including This Is Orange County, This Is San Diego County, and This Is Southern California, his son said.

Marriott began his newspaper career at age 8 when he started work in the print shop of his father’s daily newspaper, the Citizen-Patriot, in Jackson, Mich. In his teens, he became advertising director of that newspaper, then worked in advertising positions for various newspapers, magazines and chains, including the Cincinnati Enquirer, the New York Herald-Tribune, the Washington Times-Herald, Esquire and Parade.

Marriott was still active in his businesses at the time of his death, the younger Marriott said. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; four sons, William Jr., Patrick, Phillip and David; and a daughter, Toni Marriott Garland.

Memorial services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Irvine.