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WILLIAM (BILL) EDWARD MARTIN
Born: Aug 11, 1943
Date of Passing: Mar 31, 2013
Send Flowers to the Family Offer Condolences or MemoryWILLIAM (BILL) EDWARD MARTIN William (Bill) Edward Martin, C.F.P., passed away with his family by his side at the St. Boniface Hospital, Sunday, March 31, 2013 at the age of 69. Bill is survived by his wife of 45 years, Linda (nee Miller), his sons, Campbell (Aynsley), Jock (Lisa), Calvert (Jeannie), his beloved granddaughter, Brynn, and his half brother, James (Georgette) Fletcher. He is predeceased by his birth parents, Ted and Marjorie Martin, his adopted parents, Richard and Mary Gordon, and his in-laws, Chief Justice C.C. Miller and Norma Miller. Born August 11, 1943 in Weyburn, SK, Bill spent his early childhood in Regina with his maternal grandmother after his birth father, Ted Martin, died in a Lancaster bomber during the Second World War. As a war orphan, Bill was sent by train to board full-time at St. John's-Ravenscourt School (SJR) in Winnipeg. There, he found a new family both with the school and the Headmaster who raised Bill as his own son. A scruffy, mischievous nine year old transformed in the caring surroundings of SJR, where Bill was loved, kept active, and fed - the most important pursuits of his life. Bill continued his education at the University of Manitoba, graduating with a B.A. and beginning a career at the Royal Bank. Bill married his high school sweetheart, Linda Miller, had three sons, and switched out of banking into a successful career as a financial planner. He worked with Sun Life, managed a branch of Standard Life, and eventually became a full time Independent Broker. Bill was pleased to be able to send his own sons to SJR, where he remained active in the community as a parent and beyond, serving twice as President of the Alumni Association, on the Board of Governors, on the SJR Foundation Board, and helping to initiate the SJR Sports Hall of Fame. Bill loved to volunteer, and gave many hours to organizations outside of SJR as well. In particular, he loved to volunteer within the Winnipeg cultural scene helping with the Winnipeg Folk Festival (25 years), Winnipeg Fringe Festival (25 years), Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Manitoba Speech and Debate Association, Woodhaven Men's Golf Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation, P.C. Party (Provincial and National), Manitoba Film and Classification Board, 1999 Pan Am Games, and as a Canadian Track and Field Official specializing in long distances and race walking. Bill also had a passion for running, completing the first 10 full Manitoba Marathons, as well as every distance and relay leg over the years. He was a proud member of the Prairie Sky Roadrunners running club and the Hash House Harriers. Family was most important to Bill. He appreciated working for organizations that had a family atmosphere. He felt like SJR was a second home to him. He believed, after his orphan youth, that he was starting a new branch of Martins in Winnipeg. His favourite moments in life were when he had the good company of family, food, and laughter. We were happy to be together at the end. A service in celebration of Bill's life will be held at St. John's-Ravenscourt School, 400 South Dr., Winnipeg on Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. Thank you to Dr. Pat Harris and the team at CancerCare at the Grace Hospital, Dr. St. Goddard and the Palliative Care team at the St. Boniface Hospital, Dr. Steven Johnson and the staff at SJR for their support and use of the facilities at the school on Sunday. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Colon Cancer Canada.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 06, 2013
Condolences & Memories (16 entries)
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I am deeply sorry to hear about Mr. Martin's passing. The Martin family may not remember me, but over 20 years ago, I travelled with Mr. and Mrs. Martin to debate tournaments and attended competitions hosted at Balmoral Hall many times (I went to another school.). I will never forget meeting the Martins, as they were so kind.I had never been on a flight before until I flew to a debate tournament. Mr. Martin was so funny and supportive of all of us travellers that he put me right at ease. Even though I was technically from a rival school for debate, he never made me feel that way, and he was a mentor to so many of us from different schools in the Canadian Debate world. He was one of the best, and fairest, debate judges I appeared in front of and helped me to cultivate my public speech and debate skills. RIP, Mr. Martin. My heart goes out to your family. You will always be remembered. - Posted by: Jillian Wheeler (Former Debater) on: Dec 13, 2017
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To the Martin Clan, My sympathy to all of you on Bill's passing. I know he was enormously proud of all the members of the family and that he was truly delighted to have built such a lasting legacy... He will be missed at every school function, at every family gathering and in the hearts of those who were fortunate to have been a part of his life. Jane - Posted by: Jane Sellers Anema (Colleague etc) on: Apr 14, 2013
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I was so sorry to read of Bill's death. I knew Bill at U of M and remember fondly his laughter, his zest for life, his enthusiasm, his great stories with over the top actions, and his joy in living life to the fullest. I have sweet memories of our car pooling together, lunches in UMSU, exuberant outings, visits at our home and his kindness to my family. Linda, I know that countless lives will be diminished by his passing and hope and pray that precious memories will sustain you and your family at this time. - Posted by: Maureen (Marshall) Monson (Friend) on: Apr 13, 2013
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Deepest sympathy to you, Linda, from Lynda and Rick. As you know, Bill and I were the best of friends in high school at SJR and at U. of M. He used to greet me with "How's it goin' mate?" You both attended our wedding in Thunder Bay in the Spring of 1968 and we visited your home on Oakdean a few times afterwards (once with Mary and Dick). The last time we actually saw you and Bill (according to my memory) was the Summer of 1973 at a rented cottage on Lake Winnipeg when our first children - Campbell and Elizabeth - were just starting to be mobile little people. So that was forty years ago! My last contact with Bill (e-mails) was in the late 1990s, around the time when you were a visiting teacher at Shawnigan Lake. We subsequently moved to Victoria in 2002. Time has slipped by but my memories of Bill's unfailingly energetic and warm and cheerful personality will remain with me for the rest of my days. Our thoughts are with you and your sons. Rick and Lynda Anderson - Posted by: Rick Anderson (Old Friend) on: Apr 11, 2013
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Dear Mrs. Martin, I am so sorry to hear of your husband's passing. I will never forget the fun we four had at the Pearson International Airport in the 80's trying to navigate our way to international flights! Bill, who had just met me, was organizing me and making sure I got on the right flight to Syria all the while organizing you and your son to get your flight to Europe. Thanks again Bill. Take care. May light perpetual shine upon you Bill. Kathleen - Posted by: Kathleen Savoy, (Thompson) (former student of Linda) on: Apr 11, 2013
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We will miss Bill's enormous laugh and smile around MTC at Weds. afternoon matinees! He was a fantastic usher that all our patrons really liked and our thoughts are with all of the family that Bill was so proud of. - Posted by: Deborah Gay-de vries (House Manager-Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre) on: Apr 08, 2013
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Dear Linda I am so sorry to hear of Bill's passing and my thoughts are with you. I knew Bill through volunteering at the Fringe Festival for many years. Although we meet for only two weeks each year, I considered him a friend and always looked for him as the Fringe started. He was so cheerful and energetic and loved the Fringe. It will be sad this summer to not see him but I am sure his spirit will be hovering over Old Market Square. - Posted by: Brenda Taylor (Fringe Festival Volunteer) on: Apr 07, 2013
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I will always remember Bill's dedication to debating and to the Fringe Festival, where I had the pleasure of working with him. He devoted such an amazing amount of time and energy to enriching the lives of young people; and he was always smiling and positive. Linda, my sympathy and best wishes to you and to your family. Audrey Young - Posted by: Audrey Young (Friend) on: Apr 07, 2013
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Linda, my thoughts are with you and your family. It was a shock to hear of Bill's passing. As I read his name, his wonderful smiling face came to mind, accompanied by his great laugh: a laugh that reached down to his soul and infected everyone who heard it. I remember Bill as a vibrant storyteller, with a good 'ear' for listening, too. He will surely be missed, not only by his friends and his SJR family, but his BH family too, as Bill equally supported your girls. Take care, Linda: wrap yourself in the comfort of your family through this time of loss. A big hug to you... I'm sorry I can't be there to give you one in person. - Posted by: Elizabeth Bonnett (Friend/ Colleague of Linda) on: Apr 06, 2013
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My memories of Bill are fond ones dating back to the years our daughters were at BH, where Bill was a frequent presence assisting and encouraging, or judging at debating tournaments, or accompanying Linda when the debating team was travelling.His bright smile and cheerful presence would brighten most of our days. Our thoughts and sympathy go out to Linda, "the boys" and their families. - Posted by: Molly Seshia (Friend) on: Apr 06, 2013
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I was blessed to meet Bill when I was a young child. Our families met in Woodhaven many years ago. I wish I could remember more about him but I was young when our family moved out of the area. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of his family. - Posted by: Tamara Connor (old family friend) on: Apr 06, 2013
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Even while slowed down physically by heart & cancer ills, Bill laughed & joined as often as he could, still taking time to offer hockey tickets to others. A real "mensch". His sharing ways & humour will be with us for a long time, the better for us. - Posted by: Denzil FEINBERG CFP R.F.P. (Fellow Hasher & Financial Planner) on: Apr 06, 2013
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Bill was a grandfather, father, and, quite literally, a son of St. John's-Ravenscourt. It is fitting that we get to say, "Good-bye" to him in the place that was his other home. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy. There are few as kind and caring. Sleep well, Bill. You will be missed. - Posted by: Darren Johnson (Friend) on: Apr 06, 2013
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Dear Martins, I am sorry not to be able to attend on Sunday! I certainly have so many fond memories of Bill and have respected so much of what he has accomplished and how he has led his life! I wish each of you the very best and hope to see you soon. Two more years in California and it is back to Canada. Keep your memories alive as i will of Bill! Muir Meredith - Posted by: Muir Meredith (Friend) on: Apr 06, 2013
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To Linda, Jock and the rest of the Martin clan. We are deeply sorry to hear of Bill's passing. Doug certainly enjoyed every meeting he had with Bill either at SJR or at Jock's home. He was a vibrant, caring family man. I especially enjoyed seeing him with his granddaughter Brynn and the joy that this brought. We send our prayers and support for Sunday from the West Coast. Much love, Doug, Cheryl, Rebecca & Alex - Posted by: Palm Family (Friends) on: Apr 06, 2013
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Bill was a great volunteer with the Wpg. life underwriters and our Cystic Fibrosis Bomber charity fundraising events.My condoleance to his family and to all his clients who will miss him. RIP my friend. Norbert Collette - Posted by: Norbert Collette (Financial Planner Associate) on: Apr 06, 2013