WILLIAM WARREN MARTIN

On Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024, William Warren Martin was reunited in heaven with his wife, Iris, who preceded him in death by only six weeks. He was a man of faith, integrity, honor, and devotion. He loved God, his wife and family more than anything in this world.

Bill was born on Dec. 24, 1928, to Maxim (Mac) and Edna (Fradette) Martin in Alpena. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Feb. 14, 2024 at the age of 95!

Bill lived in Alpena his entire life. He grew up helping out with the family business, Norway Point Dairy on Long Rapids Road. Around the age of 12, he began mowing lawns for neighbors. One neighbor liked his work ethic so much that he offered him a job as a pin setter at the bowling alley that was formerly located in what is now Alpena Furniture. He joined his father in employment at the Detroit & Mackinac Railroad in his early 20s but was drafted for the Korean War. He was in the Army for two years, and then returned home where he was rehired by the D&M Railroad. He worked as a conductor on the railroad for 40 years and retired in 1998.

Bill met the love of his life, Iris, in 1953. They were married in 1956 in Auburn, Indiana. They raised two children, Jean Marie, born in 1959, and Robert Warren born in 1963. They were also foster parents for 10 years.

Bill loved to sing!! It was his passion, for sure! He was one of the people instrumental in starting the Barbershop Chorus Chapter in Alpena, back in the 1970s. He sang for decades in several quartets, and countless choruses, and also for 60-plus years as a dedicated member of St. Anne’s Church Choir. He was known for his friendly waves as he stood on the back of the caboose when it would cross intersections, during his 40 years working on the D&M Railroad. He enjoyed playing the ukelele, and even plunking out his parts on the piano. He enjoyed gardening, traveling, golfing, playing cards and dice games. He was proud of his families’ achievements and attended countless events over the years in support of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved to share stories of the way life was for him over the nine decades he was alive.

Bill is survived by his daughter, Jean (James) Baker; Robert (Stacee) Martin; Grandchildren — Ryan Martin, Becca Brown, Emma (Thomas) Carpenter, Olivia Martin, Iven Brown, and Raice Baker; Great-grandchildren — Maddison Martin and Lacy Martin; Sisters — Dolores Smith and Joyce Gapske, brother-in-law Gary (Lorraine) Szymanski, along with many nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Maxim Martin and Edna (Fradette) Martin; his wife, Iris Ione Martin; his brother and sister-in-law, Bernie and Phyllis Martin; sister, Marilyn Szymanski; brothers-in-law Jim Gapske, Louis Smith; and sisters-in-law Eva Turner; Lillian Paad; Jean Smalley; Winona Mischley; Esther Peterson; and Elizabeth Johnston.

Visitation will take place at McWilliams Funeral Home on Friday, March 1, 2024 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with a prayer service beginning at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Anne’s Church, Saturday, March 2, 2024 with visitation at 10 a.m. and service at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Compassus.