William “Bill” Oliver Martin, 76, passed away at his home in Madison, AL on January 31, 2018. He fought a courageous battle with chronic illness for a number of years. Bill was born May 2nd, 1941 in Greenville, North Carolina to George William Martin and Mildred (Powell) Martin. He graduated from Clemson University in 1963, and proudly served as an Armor and Aviation Officer(LTC) in the United States Army for twenty-three years, receiving multiple decorations, medals, badges, citations, and campaign ribbons for his service in Korea and two combat tours in the Vietnam war.
After retiring from the Army, Bill worked for several defense contractors including Hilton Systems, EER, Westar and QinetiQ. He retired from QinetiQ in 2013. A profoundly loving patriarch, he embraced with passion spending time with his family and friends, serving his community and volunteering on international missionary trips. He was a voracious reader, loyal Clemson Football fan, and an avid pilot of both fixed and rotary wing aircraft.
He is preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include beloved wife of 25 years, Linda Martin; brother, Lawrence Parker Martin (Anne) of Columbia, SC; son, William Todd Martin (Leeanna Izuel) of Long Beach, CA; grandson, Jackson Martin of Long Beach California; step-children, Scott Farr (Andrea) and Kristen Farr-Thurman; step-grandchildren, Ryan Farr, Audrey Farr, William Farr, Zachary Thurman and Blake Thurman.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 8th, at The Church of the Nativity. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at the church with Rev. Virginia Monroe officiating. A reception to follow service in Ridley Hall.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Outreach at The Church of the Nativity, Community Free Dental Clinic in Huntsville, or United Way of Madison County.
