Willard G. Martin, 84, a lifelong area resident, died peacefully on Thursday, February 27, 2014 at his home.
Born on December 19, 1929 in Bennington, VT, he was the son of George and Ruth Swan Martin. He proudly served our country in the US Navy during the Korean War. Bill was a self-employed mason who built several buildings in Hopewell Junction. He had also been a bus driver for the Wappingers Central School District and a truck driver for Montfort Brothers, Sun-Up, Corbins and Frog Hollow.
He was a life member of Hopewell Hose Company #1, a member of the National Rifle Association and a member of the Whortlekill Rod & Gun Club. An avid race car driver, Bill was inducted into the Race Car Hall of Fame in 2013.
On May 25, 1950, Bill married June Starrett who survives at home. He is also survived by his daughters, Cindy Kohlmaier and her husband Heinz of Pine Plains, Ann Secor and her husband Jim of Hillside Lake, and Sharon Higham of Hopewell Junction; his grandchildren, Kelly, Brenden, Amber, Trissa and Lena; his great-grandsons, Luke, J.C. and Aiden; his sister, Shirley McCaffrey; his sisters-in-law, Betty Martin and Doris Martin; his extended family, Beth Dykeman, Doug and Harriet Ziegler, The Metzger Family and Lisa Barach; his dog, Midnight; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Billy Martin; his grandsons, Kevin Higham and Jimmy Secor Jr.; and his brothers, Webster, Loren and Robert Martin.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday from 3-7pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. The funeral service will be held on Sunday at 12:30pm at the funeral home followed by interment in Hopewell Cemetery will military honors.
Memorial donations may be made to the US Naval Memorial. For driving directions, memorial donations and online condolences, please visit Bill’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.