Chaplain (Colonel) William Avery "Bill" Martin

May 28, 1928 - August 3, 2020

Chaplain (Colonel) William Avery " Bill" Martin passed away Monday, August 3, 2020 in his residence. He was born May 28, 1928 in Columbia, SC, the son of William Clifton and Mary Irene Palmer Martin. He married Marilyn Nadine Neeley in 1948 and recently celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary. He completed his undergraduate degree at Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville, and received his Master's of Divinity from The Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO. Professionally, Bill retired as Command Chaplain, 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg in 1983 after 30 years of service. He served the following assignments: Protestant Chaplain, Fort Story, VA; 3rd Infantry Division, Aschaffenburg, Germany; 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, KY; Wildwood Station, AK; Division Chaplain, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC; Chaplain of the Republic of Vietnam. Following promotion to Colonel, successive assignments ensued: Post Chaplain, Fort Dix, NJ; Command Chaplain, United States Army Forces Command, Ft. McPherson, GA; Post Chaplain, Fort Myer, VA; and finally, Command Chaplain 18th Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg. He attended all phases of the Chaplain School, Army and General Staff College and earned a 2nd Master's Degree from Central Michigan University. His service awards include: the Legion of Merit, First Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, two Army Commendation Medals, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and Master Parachutists Badge. Following his retirement, he served in Human Resources as a Leadership and Organizational Development consultant and manager of EMERCOM, American Red Cross, Washington D.C. He was a leadership instructor of Business at Lord Fairfax Community College in Winchester, VA. He also served as pastor of leadership development in Ashburn, Leesburg, and Calvary United Methodist Churches, and Program Coordinator, Arlington District of the Virginia United Methodist Conference. He also served as a Chaplain at Falcons Landing. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two children, Rev. Candee Martin of Hampton, VA, and Commander (USN) Greg Martin (Bea) of Virginia Beach; four grandchildren, Tamrah, Matthew (Chanel); Brianna, and Dustin Martin, and six great-grandchildren, Emily Mullins, Landon, Shandon, and Ilah Martin, Da'Marko Porter, and Z'Amir Hensler. His granddaughter, Terrah Broy, preceded him in death. A service will be in the Old Post Chapel, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, VA at a later date. Burial with Full Military Honors will be in Arlington National Cemetery.