William Markas; Musician in Big Bands, Prominent Realty Agent

William Francis Tait Markas, who was a drummer for singer Bing Crosby and later became a prominent realty agent in Orange and Los Angeles counties, died Monday of heart failure. He was 86.

The longtime Corona del Mar resident began his professional career at 19 as a substitute drummer for Jimmy Greer’s big band, then playing at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. After five years with Greer’s band, Markas played for Bob Hope and Bing Crosby on the “Kraft Music Hall” radio show and, after service in World War II, for the “Burns and Allen” radio show.

Markas left show business for real estate and, with his wife, singer Denny Wilson Markas, moved to Orange County in 1962. He was an early sales manager for Leisure World and worked for Signal Hill Landmark.

A member of Alcoholics Anonymous for 47 years, Markas attended his first meeting with his wife at a gathering of 12 people in Los Angeles. Half of them had been scooped up from Skid Row by the other half, Denny Markas recalled.

“I quit drinking when he did,” she said, “and we had a wonderful life because of it.” Locally, he was known as “the guru of AA,” said his daughter, Holly Tait Markas.

In addition to his wife of 51 years and his daughter, Markas is survived by a son, Robert Stephen Tait Markas, all of Newport Beach, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is scheduled for June 20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Balboa Bay Club. Donations in Markas’ name may be made to First Step House of Orange County, c/o the Bank of Newport in Newport Beach.