William R. Martin, Jr., of Laurel Hill Drive, principal founder and first president of Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Smithfield, died Saturday, July 28, 2007 at North Bay Manor. He was the husband of the late Geraldine (Jayne) Martin.
Born in Tonawanda, NY, he was the son of the late William R. and Matilda (Wilke) Martin. He lived in New York before settling in Smithfield 30 years ago.
Mr. Martin was a WWII Army veteran and served two years in the South Pacific. He was a regional sales manager of Teledyne Vasco, a specialty steel producer, until retiring in 1991. He was a literacy volunteer and arbitrator with the Better Business Bureau.
He is survived by his children, Carol Gaetano of Madison, CT, William R. Martin, III of Altamont, NY and Harold D. Martin of Farmington, NY, four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
His funeral service will be held Thursday, August 9 at 7:00pm in
Our Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, 54 Cedar Swamp Road, Smithfield. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Home & Hospice Care of RI, 169 George Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860.