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Obituary for William Thomas Napier Martin, IX
William Thomas Napier Martin IX
William Thomas Napier Martin IX of Havre Grace, MD, passed away on August 22, 2012, at the age of 71. Known as Bill, he was the loving husband of the late Mary Louise Martin.
Bill was born December 9, 1940, in Baltimore to the late William Thomas Napier Martin VIII of Winnipeg, Canada, and Kathryn Freund of Pittsburgh, PA. Originally raised in the Fairfield Housing Projects, his family moved to North Linthicum in early 1951. Known affectionately to his childhood friends as Mickey, he graduated in 1958 from Brooklyn Park High School and soon after joined the U.S. Army where he served his country proudly in the 101st Airborne Division. During his service in the Airborne, Bill was deployed on several combat assignments and he was also a member of the the U.S. Army boxing team.
After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, Bill came home and pursued his college education. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maryland, while playing fullback for the Terrapins football team. He later pursued his law degree at the University of Baltimore.
After college, he was the youngest corporate executive ever hired by Montgomery Ward. It was at Wards in Baltimore that Mickey met his future wife, Mary Louise Walker. Married on April 16, 1966, their great love affair lasted 35 years until Mary’s death in June 2001. During their life together, Bill and Mary raised four children.
In 1973, Bill ended his employment at Montgomery Ward to follow his greatest passion: deltiology (the study and collection of postcards). He turned this passion into a successful international business under the name Mary L. Martin Postcards Ltd. Past and present clients of the business include Estee Lauder, Tiffany & Co., Ancestry.com, Martha Stewart Magazine, The Smithsonian, all major auction houses, and individual collectors around the world. The business has been featured in USA Today, People Magazine, National Geographic, The Today Show, and many other media outlets. Bill has been a primary consultant to auction houses, editors, authors, and other worldwide figures with questions regarding postcards. His company has also published over 40 books about postcards. Bill and his wife Mary became known as leading pioneers in the world of postcards, spending the rest of their lives enjoying the business that they built together. Mary L. Martin Postcards Ltd., located in Havre de Grace, MD, continues to thrive today under the direction of Bill, his daughter Mary, and grandson Joey Russell.
Bill was known to all his friends as a “character,” giving everyone he met a special nickname and always leaving a good impression with the people he met. Although he traveled extensively and made friends around the world, his heart was always true to the City of Baltimore. His favorite spots included Lexington Market, Jack’s corned beef, and Howard Street antique shops. Bill had a passion for following the stock market and was considered by many to be an expert economist. He also loved recycling scrap metal, the Baltimore Orioles, and military history.
Bill is survived by his son William Thomas Napier Martin X and wife Taryn, daughter Mary Louise Martin and fiancé Robert Webster Wright, and daughter Barbara Louise Huston and husband David. He was the grandfather to Paul “Joey” Russell with wife Britney, Natalie Russell, Anna Martin, Grant Wright, Devon Martin, Molly Martin, and William Thomas Napier Martin XI. He was the brother of Robin Martin and Margie Amberg. He was also loved and will be missed by close friends Shirley Cox, Stu Bramble, Bruce Kauffman, Sheldon Dobres, Allan Alperstein and Earl Hamilton. Bill will be especially missed by Barbara Hackman. Bill was predeceased by his wife Mary L. Martin and son David Martin.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, August 28, 2012, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Zellman Funeral Home, 123 S. Washington Street, Havre de Grace, MD.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at 11:00 AM at the Zellman Funeral Home. Interment will be at West Nottingham Cemetery in Colora, MD.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.com.
William Thomas Napier Martin IX of Havre Grace, MD, passed away on August 22, 2012, at the age of 71. Known as Bill, he was the loving husband of the late Mary Louise Martin.
Bill was born December 9, 1940, in Baltimore to the late William Thomas Napier Martin VIII of Winnipeg, Canada, and Kathryn Freund of Pittsburgh, PA. Originally raised in the Fairfield Housing Projects, his family moved to North Linthicum in early 1951. Known affectionately to his childhood friends as Mickey, he graduated in 1958 from Brooklyn Park High School and soon after joined the U.S. Army where he served his country proudly in the 101st Airborne Division. During his service in the Airborne, Bill was deployed on several combat assignments and he was also a member of the the U.S. Army boxing team.
After receiving an honorable discharge from the Army, Bill came home and pursued his college education. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Maryland, while playing fullback for the Terrapins football team. He later pursued his law degree at the University of Baltimore.
After college, he was the youngest corporate executive ever hired by Montgomery Ward. It was at Wards in Baltimore that Mickey met his future wife, Mary Louise Walker. Married on April 16, 1966, their great love affair lasted 35 years until Mary’s death in June 2001. During their life together, Bill and Mary raised four children.
In 1973, Bill ended his employment at Montgomery Ward to follow his greatest passion: deltiology (the study and collection of postcards). He turned this passion into a successful international business under the name Mary L. Martin Postcards Ltd. Past and present clients of the business include Estee Lauder, Tiffany & Co., Ancestry.com, Martha Stewart Magazine, The Smithsonian, all major auction houses, and individual collectors around the world. The business has been featured in USA Today, People Magazine, National Geographic, The Today Show, and many other media outlets. Bill has been a primary consultant to auction houses, editors, authors, and other worldwide figures with questions regarding postcards. His company has also published over 40 books about postcards. Bill and his wife Mary became known as leading pioneers in the world of postcards, spending the rest of their lives enjoying the business that they built together. Mary L. Martin Postcards Ltd., located in Havre de Grace, MD, continues to thrive today under the direction of Bill, his daughter Mary, and grandson Joey Russell.
Bill was known to all his friends as a “character,” giving everyone he met a special nickname and always leaving a good impression with the people he met. Although he traveled extensively and made friends around the world, his heart was always true to the City of Baltimore. His favorite spots included Lexington Market, Jack’s corned beef, and Howard Street antique shops. Bill had a passion for following the stock market and was considered by many to be an expert economist. He also loved recycling scrap metal, the Baltimore Orioles, and military history.
Bill is survived by his son William Thomas Napier Martin X and wife Taryn, daughter Mary Louise Martin and fiancé Robert Webster Wright, and daughter Barbara Louise Huston and husband David. He was the grandfather to Paul “Joey” Russell with wife Britney, Natalie Russell, Anna Martin, Grant Wright, Devon Martin, Molly Martin, and William Thomas Napier Martin XI. He was the brother of Robin Martin and Margie Amberg. He was also loved and will be missed by close friends Shirley Cox, Stu Bramble, Bruce Kauffman, Sheldon Dobres, Allan Alperstein and Earl Hamilton. Bill will be especially missed by Barbara Hackman. Bill was predeceased by his wife Mary L. Martin and son David Martin.
A viewing will be held on Tuesday, August 28, 2012, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 9:00 pm at the Zellman Funeral Home, 123 S. Washington Street, Havre de Grace, MD.
A funeral service will be held Wednesday, August 29, 2012, at 11:00 AM at the Zellman Funeral Home. Interment will be at West Nottingham Cemetery in Colora, MD.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.com.
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