Moir Martin Jr.

ELGIN - Command Sgt. Maj. Moir "Bill" Martin Jr., U.S. Army (Ret.), 80, died February 20, 2012, in Columbia. Born November 7, 1931, in Martinsville, Virginia, to Bernice Martin and the late Moir Martin, Mr. Martin was loved and respected by his family and friends. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Elfriede Kreutzer Martin of Elgin; daughters, Billy Marie Wood of North Carolina, Sylvia Ligon of Columbia, Frances Martin of Liege, Belgium, and Jacki Martin of Greenville; son, Moir B. Martin III of North Carolina; sisters, Patricia Wells of Martinsville, and Ruth Ramion of Atlanta; daughter-in-law, Jeanne Martin of Lugoff; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by two sons, George and Roger Martin, and a sister, Bertha (Louise) Hanks.

Mr. Martin joined the U.S. Army at an early age and attained the rank of command sergeant major in 1969. He served 28 years in the military with service in Europe and Asia and retired at Fort Jackson in 1973. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal (one oak leaf cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, and the Army Commendation (three oak leaf clusters) and many other awards and commendations. He had a second career of 20 years with the United States Civil Service at Fort Jackson. He was a member of Masonic Lodge # 374 AFM, VFW Post 641, and the Scottish Rite.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 25 at 2:00 in the chapel at Greenlawn Funeral Home at 845 Leesburg Road. Friends and family will be received immediately following the ceremony. Interment with full military honors will occur in Fort Jackson Cemetery in a later family ceremony. If desired, friends and family may make memorials to the Humane Society or the charity of their choice.