W. Kenneth Martin Jr.

W. Martin, Jr. Obituary Wilmont Kenneth "Kenny" Martin, Jr., 83, of Winnsboro passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026. Born in Columbia, SC, he was the son of the late Wilmont Kenneth and Frances Bivens Martin.
He is survived by his wife, Martha McLauchlin Martin; son, Kenneth Allan Martin (wife Brandy); daughter, Susan Carroll Sutton (husband Darryll); sister in law, Barbara Martin; and granddaughter Laney Martin.
In addition to his parents, Kenny is predeceased by a brother, Frank Martin, and sister, Elizabeth Martin Hobbs.
Kenny graduated from the University of South Carolina with a bachelor's degree in business and served in the National Guard in the early 1970's. He first worked as a surveyor and then as a landman for multiple companies in SC that specialized in excavation of gold and precious stones. He was passionate about sports and had a second job keeping the game statistics for the University of South Carolina football and basketball teams for almost 50 years. He always took his children Allan and Susan to every basketball and football game they could attend, which instilled in them the same love of sports. Kenny loved nature and was an avid outdoorsman all his life. He enjoyed deer hunting, fishing and passing along all the knowledge he had gained through the years to others, young and old. He especially looked forward to his yearly fishing trips to Illinois with his son Allan and always had special memories of those times.
Later in his life, he became very interested in making walking sticks as he found unique tree limbs/vines on his property that he had planted over the years. He perfected his art and made hundreds of his remarkable canes that he would individually sign and then give away to family, friends, doctors/nurses and even strangers he felt needed them. Kenny will forever be remembered for his laughter, loving spirit, and selfless heart.
A funeral service celebrating his life will be held at 1:00 pm Friday, January 30, 2026 at First United Methodist Church conducted by Reverend Fran Connell. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall. The burial will be private for the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church or St Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Services

Funeral Service
Friday
January 30, 2026
1:00 PM
First United Methodist Church
109 W. College Street
Winnsboro, SC 29180