William Alexander Martin, 104, formerly of Sedalia, died Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, at Golden Age Living Center in Stover, Missouri.
“Uncle Bill” was born July 6, 1903, on a farm north of Houstonia, a son of Margaret and Frank Martin. On Feb. 8, 1952, in Sedalia, he was married to Lorene Ringen, who died in 1976.
Bill worked on the farm in his early years, later working at Missouri Pacific Railroad in the shop repairing the coaches. He also worked at Bothwell Hospital, delivered the Sedalia Democrat, and was a crossing guard at Horace Mann School.
Surviving are a nephew, Dean Ringen, and his wife, Diane, of Knob Noster; a great nephew, Mike Ringen, and his wife, Merri; great nieces, Cheryl Wilson, and her husband, Jeff, Vicki Nolting, and her husband, Carey, and Diane Metscher, and her husband, Don; great-great nephews, Aaron Ringen, Shane Ringen, Tyler Wilson, Trevor Nolting, Cody Metscher and Corey Metscher; and great-great nieces, Emily Ringen, Kristin Wilson and Carley Nolting. Even though he had no children, he would always proudly say, “this is my family,” when talking about nephews, nieces and cousins.
Bill enjoyed riding his bicycle all over Sedalia and on the Katy Trail, doing so until he was 99. He stopped riding his bicycle after he accidentally ran over it with his car. He also drove his 1974 Chevrolet until he was nearly 100. He enjoyed good health and was very active until recently. He was always the “star” at family gatherings at Dean and Diane’s house. On his 102nd birthday, he rode the 4-wheeler with his great-great nephew Shane. When they finished he said, “It was a great ride, but Shane wouldn’t go fast enough.”
When asked to blow out the candles at his 104th birthday party held at Golden Age Living Center, he said, “I would rather just watch them burn.” He enjoyed watching television, Lawrence Welk, Hee-Haw, Andy Griffith, sports, and racing.
Bill was a member of Broadway Presbyterian Church in Sedalia for many years, feeling that Broadway Church was his church home.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007, at Heckart Funeral Home, with the Rev. Dr. Dennis Haines officiating.
Pallbearers will be Mike Ringen, Carey Nolting, Jeff Wilson, Aaron Ringen, Shane Ringen and Emily Ringen. Honorary pallbearers will be Tyler Wilson, Trevor Nolting, Cody Metscher, Kristin Wilson, Carley Nolting and Corey Metscher.
Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Broadway Presbyterian Church.
