Capt. William Raymond Martin, USN (Ret.) passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2017.

A native of Denver, Colo., Capt. Martin was the son of the late Hugh Martin and Claire Connell Martin. A graduate of the University of Denver and the National War College, he was commissioned in 1951 and retired in 1983 having commanded USS FARRAGUT (DLG-6), USS WIILIAM V PRATT (DLG-13) and USS LITTLE ROCK (CG-4). Ashore, he served in a variety of positions on the Navy Staff (OPNAV), the Joint Staff (JCS), the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and as Executive Assistant to the United States Representative to the NATO Military Committee. He attended the Russian Language School and was an interpreter for NATO, serving in Geneva and Moscow. Also he was the last Captain of the USS LITTLE ROCK (CG-4) which was the flag ship of the 6^th Fleet and is now in a museum in Buffalo, N.Y. His final assignment was as Commander “Governor” of the United States Naval Home in Gulfport, Miss.

Capt. Martin is survived by his wife, Joyce B. Martin; his son, Capt. Michael L. Martin, USN (Ret.)(Theodosia) of Box Elder, S.D.; his daughter Patricia C. Martin of Arlington, Va.; two stepsons, Ernie Williams (Cathy) of Smyrna, Ga., E. Cameron Williams of Dahlonega , Ga., and two stepdaughters, Cheryl Dolan of Hilton Head, S.C. and Samantha Williams of Tryon, N.C. Also surviving are 12 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A Catholic Mass was held at 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Tryon, N.C. on Tuesday, September 5, 2017.

Burial followed in Polk Memorial Gardens, Columbus, N.C. with military rites conducted by the Polk County Veterans Memorial Honor Guard.

Visitation was held from 6 – 7 p.m. Monday evening at McFarland Funeral Chapel in Tryon, N.C. with a Rosary at 7 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel and Crematory

Tryon, N.C.