Billy Jay Martin

Billy Jay Martin, 61 of Independence, MO passed away Saturday, December 9, 2006 at his home surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. Services will be 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 13, 2006 at the Fort Osage Church of the Nazarene 19333 East USHighway 24, Independence, MO 64056. Burial with full military honors will be in Swan Lake Memorial Gardens. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday evening at the church. Donations may be made to the Cancer Action of Eastern Jackson County or to Odyssey Hospice. Bill was born May 24, 1945 in Wichita, KS to Jay Frank and Biantha (Rathgeber) Martin and moved to Independence at a young age graduating from Van Horn High School. He then graduated from CMSU with a degree in Business Administration. He had worked as an Industrial Engineer for Armco Steel Company for over 20 years before ailing health forced him to retire in 1987. That same year he ended a 20-year career in the U.S. Air Force retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant. Bill enjoyed Cruise nights and classic cars, car races, travel, family and friends especially "the group�. He was a member of the Fort Osage Church of the Nazarene and did volunteer work at the Truman Medical Center-Lakewood. He was married to Carol (Evans) on June 29, 1984, she survives of the home. Other survivors include; 3 sons, James and Christy Martin of Grain Valley, MO, Chris and Janie Martin of Leawood, KS and Matt Martin of Grain Valley, MO; a step son, Jason VanNatta; sisters, Jo and John Lee of Olathe, KS, Connie and Paul O�Donnell of Lee�s Summit, MO and Kathy and Mike Wardle of Grain Valley, MO; brother, Larry and Terry Martin of Independence, MO; 3 grandchildren, Jack Martin, Dayton Meier and Jake Meier and numerous nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

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