Bill J. Martin

After a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s, Bill J. Martin (Poppie) 82 of Warner, Oklahoma went to his heavenly home on March 26, 2016, in Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma. Funeral services for Bill will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 1, 2016 at First Baptist Church in Warner with Reverend Sam Dunn officiating. Pallbearers will be Monte Madewell, John Sanders, Billy Gardner, Dick Goss, Ricky Kirkhart, and Bob Christian. Honorary pallbearers will be Gene Wheat, Luther Martin, Truman Dixon, A.D. Stone, Buddy Lewis, Eric Wells, Joey Wells, the 1963 and 1964 Warner State Baseball teams, and the Connors 1985 National Champion Lady Cowgirl Basketball team. A private family interment will follow later Friday afternoon. Bill was born July 12, 1933 in Checotah, Oklahoma to Verlin and Selma (Combs) Martin. Bill began his education at Shady Grove, a one room schoolhouse, and he graduated from Checotah High School in 1951. On June 14, 1952, Bill married the love of his life Jeannie (Brand) in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. They enjoyed over 63 years of marriage together. Bill continued his education at Connors State College on an athletic scholarship where he earned an associate’s degree while playing baseball. After Connors, Bill attended Panhandle A&M for one year. Next he furthered his education at Northeastern State University where he received a Bachelor of Science and his Masters of Education in 1958. During this time, he also taught third grade in Lewis, Kansas. After teaching in Kansas, Bill became the principal at Warner High School where he taught science and math and coached many sports. While at Warner, he had the privilege of coaching the 1963 and 1964 state championship baseball teams. In 1966, Bill returned to Connors as an instructor in math and science. He also was the assistant coach with Monte Madewell for the women’s basketball team where he was a part of the 1985 National Championship team. While at Connors, Bill attended the University of Tulsa and University of Oklahoma where he received a professional diploma in 1971. He retired from Connors in 1992. Bill was a lifelong resident of Warner and a member of First Baptist Church. He was a spry individual with many activities which included: 32nd Degree Mason, sports official, rancher, waste water chemist, gardening and giving produce away, golfer, and peddling sweet corn for over 40 years. He was also a member of Connors State College Alumni and Friends Hall of Fame. Anyone that knew Bill, knew about his grandchildren and great- grandchildren, and that he was their “Poppie.” “Poppie” never met a stranger. He loved spending time watching those grandbabies do just about anything. “Poppie” will be greatly missed. Survivors include his wife, Jean of Warner, Oklahoma; daughter, Debbie Fast and husband James of Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma; granddaughter, Jamie Kirkhart and husband Chad of Muskogee, Oklahoma; grandson, Joey Fast and wife Brette of Ft. Gibson, Oklahoma; great grandchildren; Katie Kirkhart, Kenzie Kirkhart, Karlie Kirkhart, Zoey Fast, and Zade Fast; brothers, Bob Martin and wife Jackie of Morgan Hill , California, and Buddy Martin and wife Sue of Checotah, Oklahoma; sisters, Phyllis Sloan and husband Wayne of Gore, Oklahoma, and Mary Beth Gately and husband Larry of Checotah, Oklahoma; many nephews, nieces, cousins, and close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Verlin and Selma Martin; nephew, Greg Martin; and great nephew, Thomas Gregory Martin II. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to the First Baptist Church of Warner Summer Camp Fund, P.O. Box 250, Warner, Oklahoma 74469. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:30 P.M., Thursday, March 31, 2016 at Cornerstone Funeral Home.

Bill J. Martin

July 12, 1933 - March 26, 2016