William Leslie Martin Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

William Leslie Martin (affectionately known as Bill, Billy, or Brother Boo), 79, passed away peacefully at home on July 30, 2022, after a long journey with Parkinson’s Disease. Bill was born July 2, 1943, in Louisville, KY to parents William Leslie Martin and Virginia Bisig Martin, both of whom predeceased him. He graduated from Holy Spirit School, St Xavier High School, The University of Kentucky School of Architecture and then entered the Navy by enrolling in the Officer Candidate’s School in Newport RI in 1968. Bill was a registered architect and builder in the State of Kentucky and was a member of the Home Builder’s Association of Louisville and the National Association of Home Builders. He began his career in 1972 as a founding partner in the firm formerly known as Grossman Martin Chapman Architects and later became a founding partner in the firm known as Martin Hawkins Argabrite Architects where design and construction were an integral part of their practice. Subsequently, Bill became a sole practitioner and owned his own firm, WL Martin Construction Company, Inc., that specialized in the construction of many “one of a kind” designed residential projects and major residential additions. The company also constructed numerous commercial projects for clients such as the University of Louisville, Bellarmine College, and General Electric. In partnership with Don Langan, Bill developed Covered Bridge Crossings Subdivision (the former Boy Scout Camp on Covered Bridge Road) where he renovated the camp mess hall into his primary residence. Because of his work, he was featured in Louisville Magazine and The Courier Journal in 1992. Additionally, in partnership with Don Langan and Paul Keith he developed the Meadows Section of the Estates of Hunting Creek. Civically, Bill was a board member of the Louisville Art Center, a Commissioner of the Jefferson County Preservation Commission, and a member of the Architectural Review Committee of the Cherokee Triangle Association. Bill was the happiest when using his hands. From the tools in his shops, to tending to the land he owned, his sailboats, and his profession, his hands sustained and defined him. Even after Parkinson’s decreased his fine motor movements, Bill was still painting weekly with his sister, Shelley. Bill loved the water. Growing up with boats on the Ohio River, he was a beautiful slalom water skier and later became a skilled sailor after being gifted a Victoria 18 sailboat on his 40th birthday. That led to two other sailboats and many years of sailing with friends on the Ohio River, in the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the French Polynesian Islands, Greece, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan. In retirement, he purchased a pontoon and spent many weekends on the lakes in southern Kentucky. His biggest joy was pulling his grandkids behind the pontoon on the tube named “Big Bertha.” Filled with wanderlust, Bill’s lifetime goal was to travel the perimeter of the United State and all interior states which he did with his wife camping, only missing Hawaii. He also traveled extensively across Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. Until the end, Bill was a die-hard University of Kentucky fan, scheduling his time around the Wildcat’s football and basketball games, and could often be heard yelling at the television if their plays didn’t go well. Bill is survived by the love of his life, his professional partner, and fellow traveler, Susan Aubrey Martin, with whom he met in high school and was married to for 56 years; children Ramie Pembrooke Martin-Galijatovic and William Jason Martin, MD (Barbara); granddaughter Avery Elise Martin; grandsons Henry Ross Catlett, Harris Martin Galijatovic, and Jacob William Martin; siblings Mary Donna Cunningham (Charles), Suzanne Oberst (Mark), Michelle George (George), and Jane Heckman (Dwain). The family would like to thank those that took excellent care of Bill during the worst of his disease especially the Home-Based Primary Care Program at the VA, Hosparus, Kathy Durham, Kimberly Hayes, niece Mary Soto and the many family members and friends that offered support throughout his journey. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, August 6, at St. Frances of Rome Catholic Church, 2119 Payne Street, Louisville, KY 40206. Visitation is from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM followed by the funeral service at 11:00 AM. A private burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hosparus Health of Louisville, St. Vincent De Paul Louisville, or a non-profit Parkinson’s Disease charity of your choice. Arrangements under the direction of Pearson's, "Where Louisville Goes To Remember".

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William Leslie Martin

July 2, 1943 - July 30, 2022