Reverend William T. Martin, Sr.

Reverend William T. Martin, Sr. (a/k/a Bro. Bill and Pastor Bill Martin) punched his ticket to the arms of Jesus in the early morning hours of May 21, 2026 after a “pre-glory” celebration with many of his friends and parishioners in his room at Emory Perry Hospital. He has now joined Patricia, his wife of nearly 66 years and his first-born son, William, Jr., in eternal life with the Lord. It is now truly well with his soul.

A visitation for friends and family will be held Thursday, May 28, 2026 between 1:30 PM and 2:30 PM at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home. A funeral service is planned for Thursday, May 28, 2026 in the Chapel of Heritage Memorial Funeral Home at 2:30 PM with Reverend Mike Parker officiating. A private burial will be held at Parkway Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in Rev. Martin’s honor to the church of your choice.

Rev. Martin was born and raised in Marietta, Georgia, and went to Marietta High School where he excelled in sports, especially football. After high school, he enlisted in the Air Force where he was promptly sent to serve in the Korean War. After service in Korea, he met and married the love of his life Patricia and they spent the next 15 years traveling together as he was assigned posts all around the world. During this period, they had their two sons, William, Jr. and James.

Rev. Martin retired from the Air Force at Robins Air Force Base in July of 1975 and promptly devoted his life to the ministry becoming one of the most tenured pastors in the Rehoboth Baptist Association during the 1980s and 1990s based on his service to the congregation of his beloved Sandy Valley Baptist Church. Because ministers can never really retire, he continued to serve the interim needs of many small congregations throughout middle Georgia. He even served the ministerial needs of his fellow residents at Antebellum Grove for the last six years of his life.

At the time the Lord called him home, Pastor Bill had worked in the ministry for 51 years, as well as driving a van for the Senior Citizens of Middle Georgia and Groome Transportation which gave him countless additional opportunities to share the love of Jesus throughout the middle Georgia area. Through this one man, God has truly reached and saved thousands. His message will always be that heaven is real, that hell is real and the Bible is the true, accurate and inspired will of God and should be the guidebook of your life.

Rev. Martin leaves behind a son, James D. Martin (Barbara), and a daughter-in-law (Meredith Martin), grandchildren Ashley Heckman (Tyler), Marshall Miller (Johnna) and Cameron Starnes, great grandchildren Hudson Heckman, Sullivan Heckman, Beau Heckman, Kurtis Miller, Wyatt Starnes, Zane Starnes, and great-great grandchild Grafton Miller.  He was also preceded in death by his wife Patricia and son, William T. Martin, Jr.

To God be the glory!