William Truett Martin

October 24, 1924 - December 29, 2015

Dr. William Truett Martin, retired Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and former Colorado State Representative, passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on December 29th in Gilbert, AZ. Dr. Martin had been a long time resident of Colorado Springs before moving to AZ in 2005. He was born in Elbert, TX to Olin Oza Martin and Marie Teresa Gautier Martin,

Dr. Martin was predeceased by his parents and his wife of 54 years, Maxine A. Martin.

Dr. Martin is survived by his wife, Loretta J. Martin. He is survived by his three children with Maxine: Dr. Dawne Martin, Manhattan, KS; Sally Martin Noffsinger (Mark), Colorado Springs, CO and William C. "Sam" Martin (Joni), Ft. Collins, CO. Dr. Martin enjoyed 2 step-children; Michael Ammons (Lori) Topeka, KS and Michele Cunningham (Jim), Gilbert, AZ. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Jo Ann Walters (Jim). There are 12 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and 8 nieces and nephews surviving.

Dr. Martin's professional career began as a Command Pilot and multi-engine instrument instructor in the U.S. Army Air Force from age 18-22 after 2 years in college. He served until the end of WWII just prior to being deployed to the Pacific as a bomber pilot for the invasion of Japan. After completing his undergraduate degree, he coached high school football in Belton, MO for 1 year prior to starting dental school.

Dr. Martin graduated from North Texas State College with a BS in Math and Physics. He attended dental school at the University of Missouri, Kansas City. He completed his training at the University of Iowa in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He was educated on the GI Bill as were so many of the "Greatest Generation."

Dr. Martin joined Dr. Leo Nassimbene in Colorado Springs in 1959 and they later helped form Associates in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He practiced Oral Surgery for 35 years.

During his practice he regularly flew to rural areas in Colorado to serve patients without access to care.

Dr. Martin was a Fellow of the American College of Dentistry; a charter member of the Colorado Springs Oral & Maxillofacial Society; the past President of the Midwestern Society of Oral Surgeons; past President of the Rocky Mountain Society of Oral Surgery; past President of the Colorado Dental Association and a member of the Hospital Affairs Committee of the American Society of Oral Surgeons. He served as team physician for the US Hockey Team at the 1962 World Championships at the World Arena.

Upon retirement from oral surgery Dr. Martin was elected to the Colorado House of Representatives in 1988 where he served as a Colorado State Representative from 1989 to 1997. During his tenure he was the Chairman of the House Finance Committee and Chairman of the Capital Development Committee. In these roles he helped procure funding for the expansion of UCCS and I-25 in Colorado Springs. He also served on the Health, Education and Welfare Committee where he was a leader and advisor on healthcare legislation. He was well known for being able to work across the aisle. Dr. Martin was appointed in 1999 by Governor Owens to the Board of Trustees of the State Colleges in Colorado.

Dr. Martin was a gifted athlete throughout his life. He was a champion swimmer and diver in high school. He played college golf and basketball; semi-pro basketball, and was a top amateur golfer in Colorado. He also enjoyed skiing, tennis, fishing, hunting and learned to scuba dive. He maintained his love of flying throughout his life.

Dr. Bill Martin led a rich long life filled with many accomplishments, adventures and loving family. His greatest gift was kindness and his greatest wish was for us all to care for each other. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends and many whose lives he has touched. Let us not mourn that he has died, but celebrate that he lived.

Dr. Martin will be buried in a private internment with military honors at Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, CO. Visitation: January 23rd, 2-4 p.m., Swan-Law Funeral Directors. Celebration of Life: Colorado Springs Country Club, 2:00 pm, January 24th. Dr. Martin is to be honored at the Colorado State Legislature during the 2016 session.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to honor his love of animals, especially his rescue dogs Toby, to the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region, 610 Abbot Lane, Colorado Springs, CO. 80905