The Lord’s good and humble servant, William A. Martens, ended his earthly journey and entered the Lord’s Kingdom on Thursday, July 3, 2014.
Bill was born on September 19, 1918, in Milwaukee, to the late Frederick and Meta (Wilke) Martens. Bill graduated from Bay View High School, Milwaukee, in 1936. He then attended Milwaukee Vocational Engineering School. Bill also took management courses at UW-Madison and UW-Oshkosh. Bill married Loretta Helen Barbian on June 14, 1941, in Milwaukee. Bill and Loretta began their life together in Milwaukee and later moved to Clintonville, a place where they spent many happy years. While in Clintonville, Bill managed Hanson Glove Corporation. In 1971, Bill was transferred to the Merrill Hanson Glove Corporation which later became Midwest Outerwear/Fox Point. Bill retired in 1980. Upon retirement, following his life-long interest in beekeeping, Bill and Loretta ran Martens Honey Producers for more than 30 years. Bill had many life-long hobbies including fishing, making trips to Canada and the Wolf River, golfing, hunting with friends and family, rose growing and gardening, reading, music, football, and hockey. He enjoyed spending time with his family and loved sharing these hobbies with them. Bill was a life-long learner who instilled the value of education in his children. Bill was a very patriotic individual.
Survivors include his children, Judith Martens of Merrill, William (Joann) Martens of Green Bay, Kathleen (Donald) Risch of Manitowoc, Michael (Gini) Martens of Waunakee, Elaine (Donald) Rappel of Chetek, Mary Ellen (Ronald) Sielski of Two Rivers, and Mark (Carol) Martens of St. Paul, MN; twelve grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; one sister, Joan Mackey of Antigo; and one sister-in-law, Shirley Martens, of Racine. Bill was preceded in death by his dear wife of 65 years, Loretta Martens; his parents, Frederick and Meta Martens; one sister, Doris (Eugene) Ross; three brothers, Vernon (Violet) Martens, Thomas (Dorothy) Martens, and Roy Martens; one brother-in-law, Charles Mackey; and Loretta’s siblings, Cecelia (Edwin) Lentz, and Alois Barbian. Bill’s family would like to thank Woodland Court Elder Services, Merrill, where Bill resided for the last two years, and Pine Crest Nursing Home, Merrill, for the loving care given to Bill.
The Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 7, 2014, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Merrill. Father Joseph Kleinheinz presided. Visitation was held from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill. Burial took place at 2:30 p.m. Monday at St. Rose Cemetery, Clintonville. Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com
