Obituary for William J. Martin
William “Bill” J. Martin, 58, of Chicopee, was called to Heaven on June 2, 2009. Born in Springfield, he lived in the Ludlow and Chicopee area all his life and was a 1968 graduate of Chicopee H.S. He worked for over 34 years for the former Rock Tenn Co. until its closing last year and was currently attending classes at HCC in the field of graphic arts and photography. William was a United States Army Veteran proudly and voluntarily serving his country in Korea during the Vietnam War and received the Army Commendation Medal. He completed his basic training at Fort Dix and served as Clerk of Court at Ft. Sill, OK from 1971 – 1973. William was also a devout Catholic and a member, volunteer and CCD teacher at Nativity B.V.M. Church in Willimansett. He was a kind and giving person who always put everyone else first. He was also very artistic and loved drawing, photography and music. In his youth, he was lead singer and played the lead and rhythm guitar in his band Afterglow with life long friends Steve Straczek and Stanley (Sta) Drobot. Bill was the beloved son of Maria (Ramos) Martin, of Chicopee, and her late husband Joseph; a beloved life companion of over 19 years to Darlene Proulx, of Chicopee; a cherished brother to Michael and wife Vallery, of Belchertown; Robert and wife Martina, of Germany, Linda Jopson and husband Kevin, of Chicopee, Thomas and wife Christine, of Chicopee, and Christopher and wife Sharon, of Northampton; and also leaves his honorary children Carrie Anne Terpening and husband John of Monson and David Proulx and wife Kelly of Florida; honorary grandchildren Jacob William Terpening; Dakota, Dawson, Dyllon, and Kaylee Proulx, as well as several nieces, nephews, dear friends and his sponsorship child Alexandra Elizabeth AguasBuitron. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 8, 2009, at 7:45am from Ludlow Funeral Home with Liturgy of Christian burial at 9:30am in Nativity B.V.M. Church, 780 Chicopee St., Willimansett followed by burial with Military honors in Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Agawam. Visiting hours will be on Sunday evening from 5-8pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the American Heart Association 54 Wayside Ave. West Springfield, MA 01089.
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In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the American Heart Association 54 Wayside Ave. West Springfield, MA 01089.
To plant a tree in memory of William J. Martin, visit the Tribute Store.
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