On April 23, 2025, William Harold Martin made his entrance into his final home, surrounded by his family. William Harold Martin was born in Nicholas County, Kentucky, on March 19, 1932, to Keller Johnson and Lillie Mae (Bishop) Martin. A short time after he was born, the family moved to Bath County, Kentucky, the place that remained "home" in his mind to the very end.

The Martin family members were hard-working farmers, mainly raising corn and tobacco as sharecroppers. Though they were poor, they never lacked for love or basic necessities. Farming took priority over education. William Harold was proud to have completed the eighth grade before staying home to help on the farm. Though further education never became a major goal, he was well-read, focusing on presidential history, state history, and of course his beloved Cades Cove, Tennessee.

The Martin family attended White Oak Church of God, where as a young teenager William Harold understood his need to be saved and gave his heart to the Lord. To those who know and love Harold Martin, there is no doubt that he was ready to meet his Lord.

In the late 1950s William Harold met Wanda Dean Helphenstine, the love of his life, as she was singing at a revival held by her sister, Opal Helphenstine. William Harold and Wanda were married on January 9, 1959, during Wanda's senior year of high school. In the early years of their marriage, they lived in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, where William Harold began working in the grocery store business, eventually working his way up to management positions. In the mid 1960s William Harold and Wanda moved to the central Florida town of Eustis, where he continued working in grocery store management for the A&P grocery store chain. In 1968 they were thrilled by the birth of Carla, a long-awaited blessing. They moved back to Kentucky for a short time in the early 1970s, but as time went on, they began to consider what the future would hold for Carla's education. In 1973 Harold and Wanda felt led to move to Hobe Sound, Florida, to put their now six-year-old daughter, Carla, in the first grade at Hobe Sound Bible Academy. Their son, Harold Dean, was born two years later in 1975. While living in Hobe Sound, Wanda worked for Hobe Sound Ministries. William Harold worked at Scotties, a lumber supply company, located in Stuart, Florida. Eventually, he left to work as a painter. He painted for several companies, most notably Brooker Painting of Jupiter, Florida. Over the next four decades he formed relationships with many customers, including Jupiter Island residents and others around the Hobe Sound community. Many of these relationships extended beyond just the job and became close friendships. He has provided faithfully for his family and has been a tremendous blessing to his children, friends and family.

In his later years William Harold was pleased to be able to purchase a small home in Flemingsburg, Kentucky, where he spent many summers painting for friends and family in the area and always taking time to visit Bath County and his old home places. Also during his retirement years, he gave much of his time to Hobe Sound Ministries, painting in nearly every building on campus. He loved the ministries in Hobe Sound and was a faithful member of Hobe Sound Bible Church for fifty-two years, rarely missing a service if he was in town. In addition William Harold spent many hours caring for his beloved granddaughter Kelly, with whom he shared a special connection.

William Harold needed very little to be happy in life. He could often be found sitting on the front porch with a cup of coffee, a little cookie or sweet and a ready smile. He was a friend to everyone he met, and loved to make people laugh. His gentle teasing and friendly winks will be missed.

Preceding William Harold in death were his parents, Keller and Lillie, as well as Wanda, his wife of sixty-three years.  He is also predeceased by six siblings: Keller Jr., Willis, Mae, Pauline, Asa and Sam.

William Harold is survived by his two children, Carla (Martin) Case of Hobe Sound and her husband Phil (Case);his son Harold Dean, also of Hobe Sound, and his wife Kayla (Laird); eight grandchildren: Danielle (Case) and husband Sean (Adams), Kelly Case, Philip Case, and Andrea Case, Ethan and wife Lauren (Hamilton) Martin, Collin and wife Kaley (Quesenberry) Martin, Landon Martin and Dylan Martin; and two great-grandchildren: Evan and Isabella Adams. He is also survived by his "adopted" grandchildren, Stephen and Paul Kuo, and Ruth Choi.

Florida arrangements are under the direction of Treasure Coast Seawinds Funeral Home in Stuart, Florida. A viewing and funeral service will be held at Hobe Sound Bible Church on Tuesday, April 29. The viewing will be from noon until 2:00pm with the funeral service beginning at 2:00pm. treasurecoastseawinds.com

His final resting place will be Fleming County Cemetery, located in Flemingsburg, Kentucky with a brief graveside service being held on Friday, May 2, at 11:00am.

Boone-Nickell Funeral Home is caring for local arrangements.

Friends may offer online condolences at www.boonenickellfuneralhome.com