Martin Joiner Williams Jr.

DERBY-Williams, Martin Joiner Jr. passed away in the early morning of April 22, 2018, in Derby, Kansas, at the age of 90 years young. He was born on August 20, 1927, in Morristown, New Jersey, to Martin Joiner Williams Sr. and Mary Magdalene (Tschudy) Williams. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Nan (Bradley) Williams; and sister, Mary Anne Williams Cooke. He is survived by daughters, Cindy Nan Kerby, Marta Williams Buckley, Paula Williams (Kathy Kelley) and son, Matthew Joiner Williams; 5 grandsons, Brandon Kerby, Chad Kerby (Sokhom), Jordan Kerby (Chelsea), Todd Wooten, and Adam Buckley (Rebecca), five great-grandchildren; brother, Lt. Col. Robert B. Williams, USMC, Ret (Ann); and nieces and nephews, Kandi Bradley Will (Don), Paul Conant (Cathy), Jeffrey Conant, Steven Conant (Sheila), Robin Williams Hughes (Patrick), Scott Williams, Kathryn Williams Chere (John), Heidi Williams, Kurt Williams (Mandy), Karl Williams (Jennifer) and special cousin, Bruce Lock. Marty was a veteran of WWII, enlisting in the Navy at age 17, and was assigned to a mine sweeper ship off the eastern seaboard which was captained by his uncle, Captain Paul J. Williams. After the war, he finished his high school education and went west to Kansas State University on the G.I. Bill, majoring in Business. He found the love of his life when in college, meeting Virginia Nan Bradley, from Cunningham, Kansas. They married on September 7, 1951, and to this union, four children were born. Marty was also a 69-year Master Mason with the Masonic Order. Settling in Derby, Kansas, Marty began a long career of civic duty, first being elected as a City Councilman, serving from 1959-1967, and then elected as Mayor, serving from 1967-1971. He was truly the architect for creating the baseline and prospective planning for Derby, and making it the city it is today. The Boeing Company comprised Marty's lifelong employment career, sustaining a successful management position in Material, working his way literally up from the mail room to Deputy Director of Material. Marty's retirement years were filled with the joy of his family, traveling, golf, collecting, and woodworking, which included building his own shop at his home. Each August, a trek was made to his true love, his home in the Catskill Mountains of New York, where sometimes family members gathered, and other times respected his desire for solitude of the mountains and scenic nature. Marty's love of life, love of his family, unsurpassed work ethic, and honored values will continue for generations to come. He was honest and true, noble and good, a humble leader, and a revered father and friend. His life was full, and he enjoyed every moment with his lifelong companion, The Pipe. Visitation with the family will be held at Smith Mortuary located at 1415 N. Rock Road, Derby, Kansas, 67037, Saturday, April 28, from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. www.SmithFamilyMortuaries.com.