Page created by: Matthew Martin

Dr. William A. Martin: loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, and caregiver to thousands died at the age of 84 after a decade-long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Barbara (Flynn) whom he affectionately called ‘Birdie’, and their four children (and spouses) - Matthew (Courtney) Martin, Kevin (Laura) Martin, David (Susanne Bradford) Martin, and Lizanne (John) Wilkinson; nine grandchildren--David, Hannah, Nate, Brendan, Layla, Max, Luke, Grace, and his siblings, Kate, MJ, and Dick; several nieces and nephews; as well as sisters- and brothers-in-law.

Dad was a man of many names: Affectionately called Bill, Doc, or Doc Martin by all his friends and patients; ‘Poopsah’ by Mom; and ‘Pops’ or Dad by his kids. A trusted advisor and confidante to so many, he brought loving care and healing, empathy and strength, as well as boundless humor and intelligent wit to all.

Born on February 9, 1936 to Dr. James and Mary (Clair) Martin of Mount Lebanon, PA (deceased), Dad was brother to James Jr. Martin (deceased), Katherine (Kate/Dolly) Martin, Mary Jane Smith, and Richard (Dick) Martin.

Upon graduation from Villanova University, Italy became the destination and distraction Dad needed to clear his mind and allow him to forge his own path forward after the untimely passing of his father, a prominent physician in Pittsburgh. While in Italy, Dad enrolled in medical school at the University of Rome. He lived in Rome for six years where he learned to speak Italian as fluently as any local, traveled extensively, and honed his videographer skills by sneaking an 8mm camera into the 1960 summer Olympics opening ceremony as well as randomly capturing life around Rome.

Fortuitously, during a trip stateside, Dad’s sister Kate invited him to a party where she introduced him to her friend, Barbara Flynn. As Dad described that encounter, Barb was ‘a stunner’, ‘the head-turner’. It was love at first sight and after several months of long-distance courtship by letter, they married late in 1964. Barbara became his life partner and they loved each other with unwavering passion and devotion for nearly six decades.

While they started their family in Rome, they completed it when they moved back to the after Dad graduated from medical school. Life in medicine back in the states offered many twists and turns. Dad first took our family to southern California where he served as a captain in the United States Air Force (based at George Air Force Base) during the Vietnam War. After a couple of years, Dad was honorably discharged and accepted a medical residency in Cleveland, OH.

One year later, Dad joined a medical practice in Ann Arbor, MI. Over three decades, Dad built a thriving Internal Medical practice where he treated and counseled thousands of patients and non-patients alike and eventually sold his practice to a large local hospital system. Many family memories were created in Ann Arbor, including the famed ‘Billy’s Bombs’ -- every football weekend Dad would heave a football to his kids and their friends on the Georgetown Country Club golf course until his shoulder had nothing more to give – as well as Sunday mass and Michigan Stadium clean up with countless other Father Gabriel Richard high school families, following every Michigan football home game.

Quick to sing a limerick and eager to share a humorous story (or at least a story he found humorous), Dad used humor to help himself and others navigate tough times. The nicknames he anointed on family, friends and even strangers were classics: ‘Beaver’, ‘the Possum’, ‘the Flapper’, “Dubber” and ‘Studie Wudie’ (no one has been able to make any sense of that one) are just a few. One person – someone very close to Dad – was lucky enough to have two nicknames (‘Fury’ and ‘Patterns’). Being assigned a nickname by Dad was a badge of honor.

While family always came first for Dad, he loved many things. At the top of that list was the Villanova Wildcats men’s basketball team, listening to music from greats such as Frank Sinatra, dancing (anywhere) with Mom, eating chocolate (especially the ears of any unprotected chocolate Easter bunnies), seeing his children compete in athletics, ‘surprising’ Mom with flowers or a special gift, and taking on the waves in the ocean. As Mom aptly put it ‘Even when there were warnings of sharks, he would go in for a swim and I would stand on the shore scanning the ocean surface for fins while saying prayers for Dad’s safety’.

Dad and Mom moved one final time nearly 10 years ago to Daniel Island, SC. The desire for warmer winters and proximity to some of his grandchildren brought them south. His last years were filled with dance recitals, soccer matches, orchestral performances, plays, epic Thanksgiving family reunions, and Sunday brunches on Shem Creek or dinner at his son’s house. While his health was failing, his love for his wife and the twinkle in his eye never dimmed. He was a good and faithful servant to the Lord and to his fellow man. He will be sorely missed.