William N. (Bill) Martin, age 88, of Decatur, Ga., passed away on Friday, Nov. 15, 2013.
Bill was born in Lula, Ga., May 29, 1925, to Noah A. and Ina Buffington Martin. After returning from serving in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II as a flight engineer, he attended Georgia Tech and received a BBA from the University of Georgia. Bill was employed by Atlantic Steel Co. in Atlanta, prior to forming Martin Electric Motor Service in 1959, which he owned and operated.
Bill and Miriam were very active at Kirkwood Baptist and Rainbow Park Baptist churches. After Miriam's death in 1977, he moved his membership to Mount Carmel Christian Church where he served as a deacon, elder and very active in "Jack Ballard's Church Builders," building churches all over the United States and India.
He was a Master, Scottish Rite and York Rite Mason and Shriner. Bill was elected Potentate of Yaarab Shrine Temple in Atlanta in 1979. Deeply concerned about crippled and burned children, he served as chair of the Hospital Committee for several years and volunteered countless hours arranging appointments for the care and transportation of the children and their families to hospitals throughout the country. He was instrumental in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to support Shrine hospitals. He served on the Board of Shriners Hospital of Greenville, S.C., for 10 years. He was later elected to the Emeritus Board of Governors.
He enjoyed watching the Atlanta Braves, traveling in the U.S. and numerous other countries. But he always considered the Florida sands a special vacation spot. Bill was truly a servant leader, caring for, loving, and helping others including family and friends.
Bill was predeceased by his parents; and his wife, Miriam Bazemore Martin. He is survived by his son, Michael (Mike) W. Martin (Maureen), Johns Creek; grandsons, Brian (Melanie) Martin, Alpharetta; Scott (Ramsey) Martin, Decatur; Kevin Martin, and Michael Vann, Decatur; great-grandsons, Matthew and Alexander Martin; sister, Josephine Martin; devoted friend and best buddy, Hazel Nytrom, Dunwoody; and her family, sister-in law, Jean Krause (Ken); nephew, Phil Krause, Brentwood, Tenn.; niece, Joan Lehning (Tim), Nashville, Tenn.; and especially his longtime work associate, Larry Ray; and numerous relatives; and friends. As one stated, "Bill was truly one of the kindest and gentlest men I have ever known."
Special thanks goes to the caregivers and staff at Dunwoody Senior Living and Evercare Hospice for the wonderful care and love you showed our father.
The Family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. at the church on Tuesday. Bill's funeral service will be at Mount Carmel Christian Church, 6015 Old Stone Mountain Road, Stone Mountain, GA 30087, Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Art Stansbury officiating. Interment to follow in Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs with military honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's honor to Shriners Hospitals for Children, c/o Yaarab Shrine Temple, 400 Ponce de Leon Ave. NE, Atlanta, GA 30308.
A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, Decatur, Ga.
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A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home & Crematory2773 North Decatur Road P.O. Box 4000, Decatur, GA 30031
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