Billy Dean Martin was born the son of Lewis Jefferson Martin and Neva Ida Clark Martin on March 4, 1941, in Thayer, Missouri, and departed this life on April 2, 2018, at Shady Oaks Healthcare in Thayer, Missouri, at the age of 77 years.
He was united in marriage on January 6, 1963, at Thayer, Missouri, to Ellen Orman.
He is survived by his wife, Ellen Martin of the home in Thayer, Missouri; two sons, Mark Ryan Martin and wife, Monica of Thayer, Missouri and Scott Eric Martin and wife, Allison of Nashville, Tennessee; five grandchildren, Grant Martin, Nicklaus Martin, Gabriel Martin, Jack Martin, and Megan Martin; two brothers, Jerry Martin and wife, Jill of Springfield, Missouri and James Martin and wife, Sharon of Thayer, Missouri; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Neva Martin; and two brothers, Joe Darrell Martin and Robert Lewis Martin.
He was a graduate of Thayer High School, graduating with the class of 1959. He also attended DeVry Institute, where he received a degree in Electronics. Bill put his electronics training to use as an engineer at KALM in Thayer.
He was a veteran, proudly serving his country in the United States Navy as a member of the Navy Hurricane Hunters.
Bill loved to fly and got his pilot’s license at the age of 48 and enjoyed flying across the United States.
He enjoyed hunting (especially coyote), skeet shooting, fishing, reading, radio frequency transmitafication, and “spinning a yarn.”
He was the third generation to live on and operate the Martin farm, expanding the operation and herd size.
Bill was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, where he attended as long as health permitted. He also was a member of the Masonic Lodge.
Bill was a wonderful husband, great dad, the best grandpa (Poppy), and a friend to all. He will be greatly missed by his family, his friends, and the community in which he lived.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, April 5th, 2018, at 2:00 PM at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer with Brother Jared Russell officiating.
Visitation will be held Thursday, April 5th, from 1:00 PM until service time at 2:00 in the Carter Funeral Home Chapel at Thayer.
Interment will be in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery near Thayer, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer.