William R. Martin, age 91, of Hartville passed away on Thursday March 30, 2017. Bill was born December 1, 1925 in Canton to the late Thomas and Elizabeth (Fisher) Martin, graduated from Lincoln High School, and a proud WW II Navy Veteran serving as a radio operator aboard the destroyer USS Blue and was at the battles of Iwo Jima, Okinawa and Philippines among others. His ship was anchored next to the Missouri in Tokyo Bay for the Japanese Surrender on September 2, 1945. Bill started work at the Ford Motor Company in 1948 and retired with 38 years of service. He was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Bill was the sweetest, happiest, kindest man who woke up singing every morning, even the day before he passed.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years Evelyn (Zwick); daughters Carol (Rich) Frazee of Uniontown, Susan (Ron) Prince of Myrtle Beach, SC, Jane (Lon) Slabaugh of Hartville; grandchildren Kelly (Robby) Mockler, Jason (Melanie) Prince, Patrick (Vanessa), Angie, Lori, Morgan, Shanice and Niki Slabaugh; great-grandchildren Teagan Prince, Riley Leiendecker, Willa, Zachary, Auden Mockler; brother-in-law Bob McKinney; sister-in-law Judy Nolf. Preceded in death by brothers Tom, John and Jim; sister Mary McKinney; his much loved grandson Kevin William Prince who died in Iraq in 2005.

Private family services will be held Saturday with military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Kevin William Prince Memorial Scholarship Fund, 1234 East Broad St., Columbus, OH 43205-1453. Bill's family thanks McCrea Manor and Brookdale of Alliance for their loving care.

Arnold Hartville 330-877-9364

www.arnoldfuneralhome.com