Shawnee resident William J. Martin, 71, died Sunday, April 27, 2008, in Shawnee.

He was born October 25, 1936, in Shawnee to Carl and Lura Wilkinson Martin.

A lifelong resident of Shawnee, Mr. Martin graduated from Shawnee High School in 1953.

He served in the U. S. Army from January 1955 until January 1958.

On January 9, 1960, he married Mary Ellen Valeton at St. Benedict Catholic Church.

He attended Oklahoma Baptist University and graduated in 1962 with a BS in Business Administration. He worked at the Federal Aviation Administration in Oklahoma City for thirty two years and retired in 1994.

William was a member of the St. Benedict Catholic Church since 1964. He was a member of the Shawnee Elks Lodge. William coached Little League baseball for fourteen years and assisted with several football and basketball teams. He liked to play golf and fish. He was an avid sports fan, especially OU football.

He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen Martin of the home; three sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Rina Martin of Shawnee; Mark Martin and Katie Broughton of Oakland, California; Matthew and Sheila Martin of Shawnee; sister, Reba McDowell of Shawnee; four grandchildren, Roxanne Miles of Sutter, California; Carlynn Martin and Connor Martin of Shawnee; Joshua Martin of Oakland, California; three step-grandchildren, Erin, Amber and Kacee; two step-great grandchildren, Caden and Kimber; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Barbara Helm, Charlotte and Jimmy Robertson; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

He was loved and will be greatly missed by his family.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated noon Wednesday at St. Benedict Catholic Church.

The family has designated St. Benedict Catholic Church Memorial Fund, 632 N. Kickapoo, Shawnee, Oklahoma 74801 or the American Cancer Society, 6525 N. Meridian, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116, as appropriate for memorials.