Obituary for William "Bill" Martin
A celebration of the life of Bill Martin, 85, of Chandler, is scheduled for 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 22, 2022, at the Lake Palestine United Methodist Church of Chandler, with Rev. Dr. Sunny Farley officiating.
Mr. Martin passed away on October 14, 2022, at his home on Lake Palestine.
William Ford Martin, Jr. was born March 14, 1937, in Queens, New York, the son of William Ford Martin and Kathryn Rose Anne (Volp) Martin. He graduated from Newtown High School in Elmhurst, New York (Class of 1955) and enlisted in the United States Naval Air Service. Bill married Joyce Ann Baker on February 9, 1959, and during this union, he was the father to Brian, Michael, William III, and Scott. After the military, he joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), where he began his career as a commercial electrician. His membership in the IBEW allowed him to work with various contractors on many projects in New York and Texas. He worked in the east Texas area at the People’s Petroleum Building, Trinity Mother Frances Hospital, Kelly Springfield (all in Tyler), and the Michael Unit in Tennessee Colony. Bill was a 32nd-degree Mason of the Scottish Rite and York Rite of Freemasonry, where he previously held his membership at the William Foster Lodge #312 in Frankston. His hobbies included fishing, woodworking, and gardening. Bill and Joyce were charter members of the Lake Palestine United Methodist Church, where they served in many capacities over the years. He had a servant’s heart and would do anything for anyone at any time. To those he leaves behind, he will be remembered as a man who endured through the good times and the bad, trustworthy and generous.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Thomas Martin.
Survivors include wife of 63 years, Joyce Martin of Chandler; children, Brian Martin and Theresa Walden of Chandler, Michael Martin and Dena of Coffee City, William “Billy” Martin III and Donna of Lindale, Scott Martin and Angela of Chandler; grandchildren, Brian Martin, Jr., Adam Ray, Aaron Ray, Michael Martin, Jr. and Mallory, Nicholas Martin and Ryann, Jessica Burnham and Mike, Dustin Martin and Nikole, MaryAnn Martin, Jennifer Martin, Ashley Jenkins and Collin, Alexander Martin, Joshua Martin, CaitLyne Martin and 20 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lake Palestine United Methodist Church, 2889 FM 315, Chandler, Texas, 75758, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Chandler Memorial Funeral Home family.
Mr. Martin passed away on October 14, 2022, at his home on Lake Palestine.
William Ford Martin, Jr. was born March 14, 1937, in Queens, New York, the son of William Ford Martin and Kathryn Rose Anne (Volp) Martin. He graduated from Newtown High School in Elmhurst, New York (Class of 1955) and enlisted in the United States Naval Air Service. Bill married Joyce Ann Baker on February 9, 1959, and during this union, he was the father to Brian, Michael, William III, and Scott. After the military, he joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), where he began his career as a commercial electrician. His membership in the IBEW allowed him to work with various contractors on many projects in New York and Texas. He worked in the east Texas area at the People’s Petroleum Building, Trinity Mother Frances Hospital, Kelly Springfield (all in Tyler), and the Michael Unit in Tennessee Colony. Bill was a 32nd-degree Mason of the Scottish Rite and York Rite of Freemasonry, where he previously held his membership at the William Foster Lodge #312 in Frankston. His hobbies included fishing, woodworking, and gardening. Bill and Joyce were charter members of the Lake Palestine United Methodist Church, where they served in many capacities over the years. He had a servant’s heart and would do anything for anyone at any time. To those he leaves behind, he will be remembered as a man who endured through the good times and the bad, trustworthy and generous.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Thomas Martin.
Survivors include wife of 63 years, Joyce Martin of Chandler; children, Brian Martin and Theresa Walden of Chandler, Michael Martin and Dena of Coffee City, William “Billy” Martin III and Donna of Lindale, Scott Martin and Angela of Chandler; grandchildren, Brian Martin, Jr., Adam Ray, Aaron Ray, Michael Martin, Jr. and Mallory, Nicholas Martin and Ryann, Jessica Burnham and Mike, Dustin Martin and Nikole, MaryAnn Martin, Jennifer Martin, Ashley Jenkins and Collin, Alexander Martin, Joshua Martin, CaitLyne Martin and 20 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lake Palestine United Methodist Church, 2889 FM 315, Chandler, Texas, 75758, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to the Chandler Memorial Funeral Home family.