William Carl Martin

Col William Carl Martin (USAF/Retired) passed away on Thursday, 21 October 2010 after a long and courageous battle against Alzheimers and Parkinsons in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. At his side were his loving wife, children, in-laws, grandchildren and friends. Born in Evansville, Indiana on 26 July 1931, to Willie and Georgia Martin, Bill was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy (Class of 1955) and an All-American in Lacrosse. While at the Naval Academy, Bill met, fell in love and married the former Catherine Claire Kronzer (his roommate - Joe Kronzers sister) of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This love affair endured for 55 years and resulted in ten (10) children, twenty-two (22) grandchildren and two (2) great grandchildren. Upon graduation, Bill was accepted into Pilot Training in the United States Air Force and completed 26 years of service as an Air Force Fighter pilot. Bill flew in Vietnam from September 1967 through March 1969 - courageously volunteering for one year longer than traditionally required. By the end of his second tour, Bill had completed an unprecedented 243 Combat Missions - earning the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross and over 11 Air Medals. This husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend was, and remains, a widely recognized True American Hero. A Rosary will be held on Sunday, 24 October 2010 at Konrad-Behlmans at 100 Lake Point Drive (& the corner of Witzel Avenue), in Oshkosh (Celebrant: Father Jim Jugenheimer), with a Visitation from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., and the Rosary at 5:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, 25 October 2010, at Most Blessed Sacrament Parish - St Peter Catholic Church at 449 High Avenue, in Oshkosh (Celebrant: Father Kevin Sweeney, CDR/USN), with the Visitation from 9:00 - 10:00 a.m., and the Mass at 10:00 a.m. The Burial will be held at Riverside Cemetery (with Military Honors Rendered) immediately following the Funeral Mass. The family has requested that in-lieu of flowers, please send donations in care of Col William Carl Martins (USAF/Ret) name to the Alzheimers Association (www.alz.org); or, the National Parkinson Foundation (www.parkinson.org); or, the St. Judes Childrens Research Hospital (www.stjude.org). All of these websites have procedures established online, for individuals to provide a donation in Col Martins name.

Konrad-Behlman Funeral Home - Westside



100 Lake Pointe Drive
Oshkosh
WI
54904

Sunday, October 24, 2010
4 - 6 p.m.



Most Blessed Sacrament- St Peter site



435 High Ave.
Oshkosh
WI
54901

Monday, October 25, 2010
9 a.m. until service



Most Blessed Sacrament- St Peter site



435 High Ave.
Oshkosh
WI
54901

Monday, October 25, 2010
10 a.m.



Riverside Cemetery



1901 Algoma Blvd
Oshkosh
WI
54901