Col. William "Bill" Aubert Martin

COL. WILLIAM "BILL" AUBERT MARTIN, 90, passed away September 3, 2022, at the VA Hospital in Little Rock, Ark. Born in Warren, Ark., December 7, 1931, to Aubert and Christine Martin, he was preceded in death by his parents and only sibling, Martha Anna Martin. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Lou Mauderly Martin; three children, Kathryn Gayle Gutierrez (Luis), Karen Elizabeth Caster (Paul) and Michael William Martin (Kerry); and five grandchildren, Melissa Martin, Chris and Stephanie Gutierrez, and Ally and Ollie Martin. A devoted family man, Bill was a retired Air Force JAG and past Executive Director of the Arkansas Bar Association. He was active in his church, Rotary, and the Arkansas Alumni Association. He was beloved by many and dedicated to service of others. Bill attended Warren Public Schools. He graduated from University of Arkansas School of Law in 1955 with a JD and an Air Force ROTC commission. He was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. Under an Air Force program he earned an MBA at Arizona State University in 1969. He developed an early interest in photography, becoming photographer for his high school and university newsletters and the Razorbacks marching band. He earned money as photographer at parties at the U of A and was a man with a camera at events throughout his life. He exercised by jogging, running his last 5K at the age of 85. Bill served 28 years as an Air Force lawyer (JAG), retiring as a colonel in 1983. Major assignments included: Chief of Claims and Tort Litigation Division, Headquarters U.S. Air Force; Staff Judge Advocate, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center; Legal Advisor to Commander, U.S. Forces, Japan and Staff Judge Advocate, Fifth Air Force; and Staff Judge Advocate, Air Training Command. His decorations include the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Joint Services Commendation Medal, and Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster. He met Mary Lou while stationed at McConnell AFB in Wichita, Kan. They were married in 1963. After retiring from the Air Force Bill served as Executive Director of the Arkansas Bar Association for 13 years. During this time membership increased, he helped mandate continuing legal education, and the Arkansas Bar Association was computerized. In 1997 Bill retired from his second career but remained extremely active in the legal community. He served as secretary-treasurer of the Arkansas Bar Association and was an active member of the Pulaski County Bar Association. He helped found the Pulaski County Bar Foundation. In 2004 he received the Pulaski County Bar Association Outstanding Lawyer Award. In 2017 the Pulaski County Bar Foundation renamed its annual charitable golf tournament the Colonel William A. Martin Scholarship Golf Tournament to honor him for his many contributions and years of service to the legal profession in Pulaski County and the State of Arkansas. He received the National Conference of Bar Foundations' Award of Excellence for his years of legal philanthropy. Bill maintained 37 years of perfect attendance in Club 99 of Little Rock Rotary. He was named a Paul Harris Fellow in 1993 and was bestowed Lifetime membership in 2020. He served as president of the Capital Chapter of the Arkansas Alumni Association and was presented its Heart Award as a unique individual who exemplifies the volunteer spirit, enthusiasm and commitment that is the core of the chapter. He was an avid Razorbacks fan. Bill was active in Lakewood United Methodist Church, having served on the Board of Stewards. He was a member of the Open Door Sunday School Class. Bill experienced a myriad of health issues prior to his passing. The Martin family expresses gratitude to the many caregivers who helped him through his final months. Visitation: 5-7 p.m. September 13, at Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main Street, North Little Rock, Ark. Interment Service: 9 a.m., September 14, at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery North Little Rock, 1501 W. Maryland Avenue. Memorial Service: 11 a.m., September 14, at Lakewood United Methodist Church, 1922 Topf Road, North Little Rock, Ark. Memorial Contributions may be made to: Arkansas Bar Foundation, 2224 Cottondale Lane, Little Rock, Ark., 72202, memo line Col. Wm A. Martin Scholarship Fund (Benefits students at the U of A School of Law at Fayetteville.) Colonel William A. Martin Scholarship Endowment, Arkansas Community Foundation, 5 Allied Drive, Suite 51110, Little Rock, Ark., 72202 or give on-line at arcf.org. (Provides a bar service scholarship to a student at the UALR Bowen School of Law.) Lakewood United Methodist Church, 1922 Topf Road, North Little Rock, Ark., 72116. For online guest book and more details, visit www.smithfamilycares.com.