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Marriott was born at Marriott Settlement (present-day Marriott-Slaterville, Utah), the second of eight children of Hyrum Willard Marriott and Ellen Morris Marriott. As a child, "Bill", as J. Willard was called, helped to raise sugar beets and sheep on his family's farm.
For the next 58 years - until his death in August 1985 - J. Willard Marriott rarely rested. Whether adding locations, perfecting procedures, or expanding into new enterprises, Marriott breathed, ate, lived, and dreamed about his business.
Marriott International begins as an A&W Root Beer franchise in Washington, D.C., in May 1927. Founders J. Willard and Alice Sheets Marriott get their business started by quenching people’s thirst during the hot, muggy summers in Washington, D.C.
J. Willard Marriott (born Sept. 17, 1900, Marriott, Utah, U.S.—died Aug. 13, 1985, Wolfeboro, N.H.) was an American businessman who founded one of the largest hotel and restaurant organizations in the United States.
J. Willard intuitively understood the importance of mindfulness, family, and his impact on others. Inspired by the way our namesake lived his life, JW Marriott provides a haven where guests are free to take care of themselves—mind, body, and spirit.
Founded by J. Willard and Alice Marriott, and guided by family leadership since 1927, their principles remain embedded in the company's culture and in everything we do today.
In 1927, J. Willard and Alice Marriott's modest nine-seat A&W root beer stand in Washington, DC. laid the foundation for today's Marriott International. Our respect for the owner's role has never wavered.
