William Joseph Martin, Jr. of Kentwood, Michigan, age 85, entered eternal life on Thursday, November
23, 2023, passing away peacefully at his home with his family by his side.
He was born to William Joseph Martin, Sr. and Ann (Fitzpatrick) Martin on September 13, 1938, in
Chicago, IL, the oldest of three children. Bill was a 1956 graduate of St. Ignatius High School and received
a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Detroit in 1962. A lifelong patriot, Bill
served his country in the United States Army from 1962 – 1964.
A devout Catholic, Bill was an active member of the Catholic Information Center on Ionia Avenue, and
later continued his faith journey at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. He participated in the Center
Community Leadership Group a lay leadership advisory board for the Catholic Information Center,
served as a Lector for many years and as a member of the RCIA team, shepherding and guiding those
desiring Baptism and becoming Catholics. Bill was a lifetime lover of music and possessed a voice as big
as his heart. Bill, an avid reader, loved his political thrillers and murder mysteries almost as much as he
loved watching whatever professional sports game he could find, though he loved no team more than
his beloved Chicago Cubs, even when they let him down.
Bill had the good fortune of having not one, but two great loves of his life. He was to married Nancy
(Grigus) Martin in 1964 until her death in 1997. He then married Susan (Walsh) Martin in 1999. He is
survived by his beloved wife Susan of almost 24 years; loving children Catherine Martin and Justin Dobson,
Mary Martin, Stephen and Erika Hagy, David Hagy, Amanda and John Michael Malec; treasured
grandchildren Jillian Hagy, Jonathan Hagy, Ethan Dobson, Reid Dobson, Alice Dobson, and Helena
Dobson; and cherished sisters Patricia Martin and Molly Mannino. He was preceded in death by his
parents and his first wife Nancy.
There will be a time of visitation from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm on Thursday, November 30, 2023 at Ofield
Funeral Home, 4500 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Kentwood, MI 49508. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated
at 2:00 pm on Friday, December 1, 2023 at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew, 215 Sheldon Blvd SE, Grand
Rapids, MI 49503 with Fr. Dat Tran, CSP presiding and Fr. Bill Edens, CSP as co celebrant. The family
would like to thank Corewell Health Hospice for their care and compassion during Bill's illness.
Those wishing to offer expressions of sympathy are encouraged to make a memorial contribution to
Corewell Health Hospice at https://give.corewellhealth.org/hospice/donate.