William "Bill" Martin was born on March 8, 1930, in Texarkana, Arkansas to the late Helen and William Martin, Sr. He was raised in Dallas, Texas and joined the Army in 1945, at the age of 15. While in the army, he served in both World War II and the Korean War. He married Betty Jo Burk on December 22, 1956, and retired from the military in 1965. After his retirement from the Army, he and his family moved to Henderson, Texas. He worked at Marathon LeTourneau until his retirement in 1994. He was an accomplished wood worker, welder, electrician, and square dancer. He was chosen to participate in the Korean War Veterans Honor flight to Washington, DC in 2015 and was recently recognized by the Masonic Lodge for 50 years as a 32nd Mason and Shriner. Mr. Martin passed away on December 23, 2018, in Keller, Texas.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jo. He is survived by his daughters, Sharon Martin Smithers of Fort Worth, Patricia Davis Shew of Deadwood, and Vicci Straubinger and husband Lother of Apple Valley, California; grandchildren, Bret Mitchell and wife Lacey of Argyle, Joshua Smithers and wife Erica of Henderson, Mike Davis and wife Martha of Shiloh, Mark Davis and wife Staci of Carthage, Mitch Davis of Charlotte, and Marty Davis and wife Mia of Deadwood; 11 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2018, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Stewart Cemetery in Rusk County, TX. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Bret Mitchell, Joshua Smithers, Mike Davis, Mark Davis, Mitch Davis and Marty Davis.  Honorary pallbearers are Matt Davis, Cody Davis and Conner Davis.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.