William "Bill" Martin

William V. Martin

“Bill”

Age 90 of Morris and formerly of Odell, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at Park Pointe Gardens in Morris, Illinois.

Born July 7, 1930 in Pontiac, Illinois, William Vincent was the son of William Frederick and Ellen “Nellie” (Condon) Martin. He was raised in Odell and graduated from St. Paul’s with the Class of 1948. Following high school, Bill attended Gallagher School of Business in Kankakee before entering into the United States Navy (1951-1955). Following his honorable discharge he went on to marry Patricia Ann Fraher on November 26, 1955 in St. Paul Catholic Church in Odell, and together they made their home in Odell until relocating their family in the Summer of 1972. Bill began his career with the United States Postal Service, where he served as Postmaster of Odell until 1971 when he took the Postmaster position with Morris. He then served the Morris community for the following 19 years until his retirement in 1990.

Bill and Pat were dedicated members of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris; he was a member of Morris Country Club and the American Legion Post 294 in Morris. In addition, Bill belonged to the Lions Club, Moose Lodge, and the Postmasters Association.

One who was an avid sports fan, Bill took great pleasure in following the Chicago Bears, Notre Dame Football and the Chicago White Sox. Throughout the years he also enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing golf, and working in the yard with Pat. He was truly a ‘Jack of all trades’, and could fix or repair anything. His number one hobby was his family, and Bill will be most remembered as a loving husband and devoted father, who was his grandkids biggest fan at their sporting and school events.

Survivors include his children: Michael (Ann) Martin of Stamford, Connecticut and Sheila (Thomas) Riccolo, Mary (Terrence) O’Connor and Bill (Meghan) Martin, all of Morris; seven grandchildren: Caroline Riccolo, Peter Riccolo, Sean Martin, Brendan Martin, Caitlin O’Connor (Ben Wollam), Eileen (Cameron) Berner and Erin O’Connor (Matt Wiehl), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; son, Mark W. Martin, wife, Patricia Martin; sister, Ruth Mobus and granddaughter, Regina Martin.

The family will receive friends for a COVID observant and walk through visitation on Monday morning December 28, 2020 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 East Washington Street (one block east of Illinois Route 47) in Morris. Due to current pandemic guidelines, face masks will be required for attendees and measures of safe social distancing practices will be in order. The funeral home staff will assist the family not to exceed the safe number set forth for the visitation.

Funeral services will follow at 12:00 noon in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 600 East Jackson Street in Morris. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Reverend Jason Stone presiding.

Those wishing to participate in Bill’s funeral service online are welcome to join the live-streamed service beginning at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, December 28, 2020. This virtual service is accessible by logging onto his memorial page.

Burial will be in St. Paul Catholic Cemetery in Odell, where Bill will be laid to rest with his late wife, Pat.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Bill’s memory to Immaculate Conception School or Immaculate Conception Church.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Bill’s memorial page online through social media by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com/obituary/WilliamBill-Martin

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in Morris (815) 942-2500 .