William "Bill" Leland Martin

Dr. William Leland “Bill” Martin, a fourth-generation Californian and beloved veterinarian who devoted more than six decades to caring for animals and their families, has died at the age of 98.

Born on April 9, 1927, at San Francisco Children’s Hospital to Leland Stanford Martin and Zelma Gertrude Wilson, Bill grew up in the West Portal neighborhood. He attended West Portal Grammar School, Aptos Junior High, and Lowell High School before enrolling at San Francisco State College.

During World War II, Bill served his country in the U.S. Navy as a medic, an experience that nurtured his interest in medicine and deepened his commitment to service. After the war, he became part of the second graduating class of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine — one of the pioneers in a profession that would define his life’s work.

In 1948, Bill married Elizabeth Louise “Betty Lou” Stadtfeld, the love of his life, at the Swedenborgian Church in San Francisco. Together, the couple built more than a marriage: they founded the first veterinary practice in Paradise, California. For decades, the Paradise Veterinary Clinic was not only a place where animals received care, but also a gathering place for a community that trusted and respected the Martins’ skill, kindness, and dedication.

Bill and Betty worked side by side until her passing in 2007, after which Bill carried on the practice alone, continuing to see patients until he retired at the remarkable age of 87. Known for his steady manner and genuine compassion, he was a fixture in the community, remembered by generations of clients who brought in not just their pets, but also their children and grandchildren to meet “Dr. Martin.”

In 2018, when the Camp Fire devastated the town of Paradise, Bill lost his home and practice. He relocated to Santa Cruz to be near his eldest daughter, beginning a new chapter in his 90s with the same resilience that had carried him through earlier challenges.

Bill is survived by his children, Lora Lee Martin, Denise Elizabeth Reis (Kelly), and William Leland Martin II (Pam); his grandchildren Sergey DuBeau, Katlyn Brickey (Taylor), Avery Martin, and William Leland Martin III; and his great-grandchildren Liam and Wyatt. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty, with whom he shared nearly 60 years of marriage.

To his family, friends, and the many people whose animals he cared for, Bill will be remembered as a man of integrity, warmth, and perseverance — a healer who found purpose in service, a husband who built a true partnership, and a father whose love and example will endure.

A celebration of his long and meaningful life will be held at a later date.