MARTIN, Dr. Bill
(William Robert James)
June 22, 1927 – December 26, 2017
Dad passed away peacefully on Boxing Day, surrounded by family in his home on Galiano Island. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Gwen, his grandson Lucas, his son-in-law Walter and his siblings, Margaret, Barbara and Jackie. He is survived by his four children, Shelley (David), Sandy (Thijs), Craig (Ellen) and Scott (Lori), his nine grandchildren, Brooke, Tara, Morgan, Bonn, Justin, Miranda, Matthew, Rebecca and Andrew, and his three great-granddaughters, Abigail, Norah and Neve. Also his sisters Nita and Sally and seventeen nieces and nephews.
Dad was born in Burnaby to William and Ellen Martin who had emigrated in 1919 from Glasgow. Dad always knew that he wanted to be a doctor. Raised during the poverty of the Depression, he took on many jobs to pay for his university education, including carpentry work for his father who had secured a construction position with the Department of National Defence in the 1940s. By the time Dad was in medical school, Mom had graduated nursing and she worked throughout the med school years, easing the strain of those times.
Dad met his beloved Gwen at UBC and they married in 1950. After graduating from UBC's first Medical School Class in 1954, they moved to Merritt where Dad shared a general practice with his closest friend, Hugh Pontifex. Dad began his specialty training in ophthalmology in 1960 and joined an ophthalmological practice in Burnaby in 1965 with partners Jack Siddall, Sam Gibson, Don Matheson and Bill Pratt where they all became lifelong friends.
Dad retired in 1991 and he and Mom moved to their Galiano home that they had purchased in 1978. They traveled the world on various cruises and excursions and enjoyed their years on Galiano with gardening, reading, and spending time with family and their many friends. They were very happy in their island community. Dad never missed a Boxing Day bird count, which meant that we never missed one either.
Dad loved working with wood. He built a catamaran in the 1960s which we all enjoyed during our summers at Naramata. He also made beautiful grandfather clocks for each of his children and his siblings. Dad played guitar and sang for us all and then began building his own guitars, completing his first in 1973. He continued this exquisite craft with nine more guitars beautifully inlayed with abalone and mother of pearl. If Dad was not reading in the family room or on the sundeck, he was in his island workshop creating.
There will be a memorial service for Dad at the Galiano Lions Hall on Saturday, January 13 at 11:00 a.m. For information please call Sandy at (250) 539-2690. In lieu of flowers, donations to the MS Society of Canada would be appreciated. To leave condolences please visit legacy.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
5 Entries
July 7, 2018
I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I remember him as being a very nice and gentle man. May he always live in your heart and through your memories.
Pat W.
January 8, 2018
Shannon Stahldorf (Martin)
Our love, thoughts and prayers to all....Uncle Billy will be missed greatly, his laugh, his love of family......❤
January 8, 2018
Melanie Kirkland
Dearest Sandy and family,
My condolences, and love are being sent your way. I have heard over the years of Uncle Billy, from Doug & family. But never met him.. I just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you Sandy.
With Love and hugs,
Melanie (Joan Sutherland's daughter)
January 8, 2018
Brooke
You started a large family with a ton of love and connection between us. I will remember your laughter, piles of books, the beautiful guitars you made, and family dinners at your and Granny's home by the water.
January 7, 2018
Your daughter, Sandy
Dad, I will miss you forever. Thank you for so much. You were an amazing father and guide and teacher. And you were my buddy these last years. I know you're with Mom now....and that's a wonderful thought. I'm sending you both love.
Bye for now Dad.
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