Willie Joe Martin's Obituary
Willie Joe Martin, “Bill”, was born in Knoxville, Alabama on December 31, 1943. He was the only child of the late
Bettie Mae Winston (Peebles) and the late Joe Leslie Martin. His brother, Percy Lee Stewart, as well as his
stepfather, James Albert Peebles, preceded him in death. He was raised by his grandmother, the late Lillie Mae
Chambers, until the age of nine, when he joined his mother in Kinloch, Missouri.
Bill enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1961. He served tours in Germany (four years), Vietnam (two years), Italy (two
years) and Korea (one year). His specialties were Tactical and Strategic Microwave System Repairer and Cannon
Fire Direction Specialist. During the course of his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal;
Vietnam Service Medal (four Campaigns); Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Cross of Gallantry w/Palm; 3 0/S
Bars; Good Conduct Medal (5th Award); Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (three); and NCO
Professional Development Ribbon (one). During his twenty years of service, he was promoted to the rank of
Sargent. He retired in from the U.S. Army in 1981.
While stationed in Germany in 1965, Bill and Eva Engler were united in holy matrimony and he legally adopted
her daughter, Patricia, as his own. Bill and Eva were blessed with the birth of their son, Romanoff, in 1966.
Bill lived in Arizona, Georgia and Colorado at different times during his life. While living in Georgia, he worked as
a juvenile corrections officer. When he lived in Colorado, he had a wonderful time with that state being filled with
lakes and plenty of fish. He had developed a great passion for fishing as a child. His stepfather, Albert, his uncle
Will Lee, and his cousin, Clyde, would all go fishing together and come home with lots of fish and stories too. He
loved fishing!
Bill returned to Missouri to be near his mother in her golden years. Although he was retired from the U.S. Army, to
keep himself busy he worked as a truck driver for Werner, Interstate and Trademark trucking companies. He
formed friendships with many truck drivers and joined Truckers social club. For many years, he was also a
member of the Elks and VFW in both Colorado and Missouri.
Bill was Bill. He lived his life by his own rules, yet he still helped people when he could. He was highly skilled in
maintenance. There were rarely few things that he could not fix. He was a “Blues” man. He loved playing his
blues CDs while he was working. He was a very charismatic and likeable man and had many friends whom he
made feel “special.”
Bill survived two years in the Vietnam war but alas he could not survive COVID-19. The day after his two oldest
children, Valerie and Carolyn “Muffin” were allowed to see him, he peacefully transitioned at 9:40 p.m., January
31, 2021, at John Cochran’s Veterans Hospital after being in ICU for twenty-four days.
Bill leaves to cherish his memory: his children, Valerie Tolbert, Carolyn (Andrew) Tolbert Frey, Patricia Lewendon
of British Colombia, Canada, Romanoff (Jacqueline) Martin of Alberta, Canada, and Susan Neal of Cahokia,
Illinois; grandchildren, Jasmine (Josh) Talley of Jefferson City, Montana, Keenan-Yaphet Collier, Jodi, Bobby,
Rodney, Jurnee and Michael Martin all of Alberta, Canada, Micah and Matthew Neal of Cahokia, Illinois;
great-grandchildren, MaKenna, Kinsley, Carter and Meadow Talley of Jefferson City, Montana; two aunts, Wille E.
Woods and Julia B. Martin of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; one sister-in-law, Elizabeth Stewart of Chicago, Illinois; three
special cousins, Clyde Bailey, Joe Lee Martin of Chicago, Illinois, and Roosevelt Martin, Jr.; fishing buddy, Lewis
“Bishop” Rice and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
What’s your fondest memory of Willie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Willie?
Share a story where Willie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Willie you’ll never forget.
How did Willie make you smile?
