William A. (Bill) Martin, CPCU passed away on the evening of February 27th, 2018, just days short of his 86th birthday. Bill was born to Pauline Smith Martin and Floyd John Martin on March 3rd, 1932 in Wichita, Kansas. He graduated from Crozier Tech High School in Dallas, Texas in 1949, where he was proud to be a member of the school's basketball team, which won the state championship in 1948. Shortly after graduating from high school, Bill joined the U.S. Army Reserves, where he rose to the level of Chief Warrant Officer W-2 before his discharge in 1963. In 1954, he also earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration, specializing in insurance, from Southern Methodist University.
One of Bill's greatest passions was his fifty year career in insurance, which he began fresh out of high school as a simple file clerk, rising through the ranks until he retired in 1986 as a celebrated Senior Vice-President of Marketing for Crum & Forster Insurance in Morristown, New Jersey. At that time, he returned to Texas with his family, taking up residence in the city of Castle Hills, just inside San Antonio. He quickly discovered that retirement wasn't suited for him, and accepted a position as Vice President of Sales for Catto & Catto Insurance where he was proud to work for more than a decade, ultimately retiring in 1999.
Bill had a great love for his home in Castle Hills, which inspired him to campaign and be elected to City Council from 1990-1993 and ultimately as Mayor from 1993-1995. He was also honored to be recognized as Castle Hills' Citizen of the Year in 2004.
Bill was a man of devout faith, and functioned as a Ruling Elder and Trustee of Covenant Presbyterian Church in addition to serving on the Finance Committee of Mission Presbytery. He was also very proud to act as the Chairman of the VIA Metropolitan Transit Citizens' Advisory Council, as well as serve as a trustee on the VIA Metropolitan Transit Board until leaving in December, 2013. His heavy involvement in oversight and improvement committees for local schools also led to his installment as an Honorary Life Member of the Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers in 2005.
Above and beyond his numerous professional and community accomplishments and accolades, Bill's greatest love and source of pride was always his family. His happiest moments involved having his wife, children and grandchildren by his side, as he traveled the world, enjoyed cruise ship vacations, or spent long weekends at his beloved vacation home on Lake LBJ. He is survived by his devoted wife of fifty-eight years, Sandra Jobe Martin, their daughter Melanie Martin Fell and her husband Steven Curtis Fell; their son Mark Martin Angle and his husband William Robin Angle; and grandchildren Jenna Brooks Fell, Sarah Rae Fell, Melanie Taylor Angle and Cooper Evans Angle.
The family has chosen to inter Bill's remains in a private ceremony at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. In lieu of flowers, they ask that donations be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church (
www.covenantcares.org
).
Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500