William (Bill) Clayton Martin, Jr, age 74, of Argo, Alabama passed away on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Clayton Martin, Dora Elizabeth Martin, and his brother John T. Martin (Aileen). He is survived by his wife, Hazel L. Martin, his daughters Randa May (Eddie), and Kimberly Allison (Jason); his granddaughters Brooke Martin, Brittany Martin, Olivia Kirksey (William); step-granddaughters Cassidy Allison and Ansley Allison; his grandsons, Joseph Justin Warren, Hunter Warren, Devon Warren, and Blayne Martin; his great-grand sons, Ayden May, Korey May and Creed May; his great-grand daughters Wilder Ray, Elliana Jones; his sisters, Betty Lou Thomas, Dianne Martin, Mary Radford (Dale), Stan Martin (Peggy) and Robert Martin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was born and raised in Tennessee where he proudly joined and served with the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. After his service, where he was injured in the line of duty, he relocated to Alabama where he met his wife. He worked as an automotive technician and fixed up old cars to sale until he retired. He then became an entrepreneur and ran the Ol’ Red Barn Auction/ Flea Market in Argo, Alabama. A lot of people in the community began to know him through frequent visits there, where they turned their daily barters into friendships that would last the rest of his lifetime.
Over the years he enjoyed golfing, bowling, hunting, fishing, tinkering with cars and keeping himself busy to survive all the women in the household that would drive him silly. A man of few words and a dry sense of humor that would catch you off guard when he cracked a joke you didn’t see coming. He never met a stranger. He will be remembered and missed by all that knew him.
Memorial service will be held on Thursday. Jan. 28, 2021 at 2:00 PM at Deerfoot Memorial Funeral Home. Funeral service will be held separately at New Zion Baptist Church located in Athens, Tennessee.