Willie D. Martin

WILLIE DEE MARTIN was born July 4, 1940, to Chesterfield Carter and Charity Martin in Rich, Mississippi but was raised in Helena, Arkansas. Willie did not have a formal education, but he acquired great intelligence through experience. 

Willie was well versed in various areas and engaged in a variety of interesting activities. You could call Willie a jack of all trades. Willie played baseball, softball, was in a traveling singing quartet and dabbled in boxing. 

Willie started his career at Howe Lumber Company in Arkansas and continued to Murphy’s Steakhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Willie’s last job working under a company was at Stone Center where he departed making a stance for worker’s rights. Willie went on to form Martin’s Landscaping which he ran and operated for over 40 years. Willie’s legacy will live on through the stonework he laid throughout the state of Indiana. 

Willie Martin departed his life on November 20, 2024, at the age of eighty-four years. 

Willie was preceded in death by his parents, Chesterfield Carter and Charity Martin; wives: Dorothy Martin, Hattie Martin, Mary Kirby Martin and Elizabeth Bond; siblings: Pearline Lindsay, Thurman Carter, Sharon "Pretty Girl" Jackson, Lorraine "Beauty" Williams, Frederick Robinson, Charlie Gather, Willie B. Martin "WB", Earnest Wilbur and Patricia Patterson; daughter, Kirby Martin; and grandson, James Johnson III. 

Willie leaves behind in his cherished memory wife, Patricia Martin; children: Eilzabeth Harmon, Luther Frye, Teri Daniels (Michael), Willie Martin Jr. "Lil Willie", Andre Martin, Katrinia Martin Mundy Greier (Scott), Sabrina Martin (Jeffery Walker), Shivone Wilson (Mario), La’Toya Martin, Willie Martin Jr. "Lilman" and Shariese Martin; stepchildren: Toshia Komolafe, Sharon Echols, Christopher Walton, Bryan Walton, Coley Hester, Kiwane Hester, Paris Walton, Brianna Hester, Simone Hester, Jeremiah Hester, Faye Kirby Coleman, Calvin Kirby, Samuel Bond, Mary Farrington Mabon and Frederick Bond; sisters and brothers: Charlene Little, Aileen Gather, Willie C. Martin (Helen), Alverta Williams, Irene Jackson, Dorothy Campbell, Thomas Rooks (Diane), Chesterfield Carter Jr. (Sarah), Druecilla Robinson (Leslie) and Minnie Johns; a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other loved ones.