Name: McGilley Antioch Chapel
Address: Kansas City, MO

Billy and Lori, 

I was so shocked and terribly sorry to hear about your dad. I wish I had known sooner. I know how much you both loved Bill and how much you miss him. Please know that I am thinking of you and grieving with you.....I loved him too.

Diane

Billy and I were classmates back during the Paseo years.  One of our teachers humiliated me in public, and I was ready to explode.  Billy told me to back off and be cool.  That's just what I needed to hear at the time.

I went on to teach high school myself for thirty-five years.  I never forgot Bill's advice.  I'm sure he was an excellent police officer.

Billy and Lori,

I can't begin to tell you how sorry I am for your loss.  Please know that your father was admired and respected by all who worked with him.  Your father was one of the few legends of KCPD and he will be missed.

Condolences on your loss.

Jim Kobolt

I worked dog watch with Billy in 74-75 at Metro and learned so much about being a street cop from him. We learned to smell trouble before it started, that being we were both former Marines and in Vietnam. The CAPTAIN used to say our squad was the best and the SGT would reply its these former Nam vets, they do ther job in the best way. I saw Billy throught out our careers and he always had a smile and a great attitude. God bless you Billy Martin and say hi to all those other great COPS and MARINES up there until I join you and get the cold beer out.   SEMPER FI BROTHER

Billy was the strongest person I've ever known... physically and mentally. He was most of all my best friend, and it was a joy and pleasure to me to help him fight his final battle. He was my hero and my knight in shining armor, and I will miss him terribly.

My deepest sympathy goes out to the Martin family.
Billy was well liked and will always be remembered.

ex-K.C. Police Officer, Shandy Ludwig Klaus

My dad was the best.  I am very proud and feel very honored to be his daughter.
Lori Martin-Bigard

I'll sure miss Billy.  I worked with him in the field and the TAC Unit at Metro in the 70's & 80's. Also on many special assignments at Narcotics and Vice and even after I retired when he was with the Prosecutors Office.  What a great officer and a great guy.  He had my back on many a fight!!

Well Trigger, looks you're gonna be surrounded by all good guys from now on. Probably take a little getting used to--not wondering what this one or that one is really up to. Time to just sit around and swap stories while you wait for the rest of us. May the peace of Christ be with you and your family now and forever!

I worked with Billy in the 70"s at Metro Patrol Division and he was a legend there. He was a hard worker and an old style copper. My condolences to Lil Billy and all of his family and friends.

Rick Curtin
Kansas City, Mo.

Billy was truly one in a million!  But if things started hitting the fan, you knew you could count on Billy to be in the thick of it and handling whatever was thrown at him.  He'll always be aces in my book!

I took advice from you in 1970 and was still listening to the "Martin way" in 2009. I am proud to have worked with you several times over the years. You were a brave and honorable man. Semper FI, Wild Bill.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bill's family at this time.  He was my cousin, the nephew of my mother Ernestine Martin Palmerin.  We always remember Bill when we would see him out at Bannister Mall and he would stop and talk with me and ask me how my daughter, Candy, was, as well as ask about her kids and the rest of our family.  
While I know that nothing can erase the pain that you are feeling in your hearts at this time; know that he is at peace and is now a guardian angel for your family.

One of the best cops I ever worked with. Billy has moved on to better things and he will be missed. My condolences to his family.

Rest well old pal.

I guess there is an old saying "any man who has friends is the richest man in the world"!  Well Billy, you must be richer than any man I know because we were all your friends.  SEMPER FI buddy and drink a cold one for us until we get there!

Billy was a Cop's Cop. One of the best. Also a great friend. You can tell that by those who took the time to sign his guest book. Save a place for me brother.

Our prayers are with Bill's Kids Lori Martin-Bigard and Billy Martin at this sad time. Lori and Billy spent nearly everyday with their Dad while he was ill. I'm sure Bill was very proud of both of his children. Love, Ginger and Paul Turner

Please remember Bill's children Lori Martin Bigard, William R. Martin III in the coming days and month's ahead. Lori and Billy suppported and encouraged there dad daily. Bill was so proud of both of his children. 

Thank You
LORI And Billy's MOM
Janet Nelson

I always used to tell Billy how beautiful his eyes were, not just because they were such a pretty blue but because there was a kind wisdom in them that you hardly see. I will truly miss his spirit and friendship. My sincere sympathies to his wife, family and his many friends. Michelle Peden (Independence, MO.)

I extend condolences to to family from my family.  Billy and worked across patrol borders for a long time while on 'dog watch'.  He Country Club Station, I was at East. Like most officers we worked 'off-duty' to help the family out while we pursued our chosen career.  I met Billy's son Det. Martin while waiting to meet with an Assistant United States Attorney a few years back.  Billy's legacy lives on and his gift to the  community is his son's service to as a police officer.

Raul O. Guerrero and family

There will never be another Billy on the Department brother you where one of a kind, it was a pleasure to have worked with you.  Rest in Peace you will be missed.

Billy was the best friend a guy could have and the greatest copper I ever knew. Semper Fi, my brother...
Our deepest sympathy to his loving wife and son.

Billy was the best friend a guy could ever have and the best copper I ever knew. Semper Fi, my brother. All our sympathy to his loving wife and son.

I worked for Bill at the Convention center my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Rest in Peace Bill.

Worked with Bill at the Convention Center.  I had a lot of respect for him and felt like he had done quite a bit to help move the Security team forward.  He helped me quite a bit and I will miss him.

Billy was truly a great policeman and a go getter. They don't make cops like him anymore. A legend has passed.   We will miss you Billy.

As many people have, and will continue to attest to, Billy was one of the best Street Cops I have ever known.  I not only used to encourage the younger Officers to hang around him and try to absorb as much knowledge as possible, I took every opportunity to do the same!  Above and beyond that, Billy was a great guy and even better friend.  He will be sorely missed by all who were forunate enough to have had him touch their lives.

They don't make cops like Billy Martin anymore.  RIP my friend.

Little Billy your Dad was the best you know. Rest in peace Billy You earned it! One great COP.- Randy Poletis

I always knew Billy while on the PD, don't know where I first met him, but always knew he was around.  I think the dispatchers called him "Fireplug" as one day he brought donuts to them in his police car, most likely code 1, and as he got out of his police car, he had to jump over the fireplug in order to avoid falling over it.  Funny for a guy Billy's size.  He was a good man and will be missed.

One of the best.  We will miss you Wild Bill.

It was an honor to know you and a privilege to work with you, Billy. May your family find comfort in knowing that you were profoundly respected as a man and as a police officer.

I'll never find the words to express how much you'll be missed, Billy. You taught me so much, how the actions of one can help so many and helped define for me what public service is all about. My heartfelt condolensces to the family of a truly great man.

I worked with Billy for several years, and what a GREAT person and what a cop!  HE was one of the Great ones! RIP my brother.....

I worked with Billy at Metro.  There was never a police officer I admired or respected more.  To me, he was the best officer there ever was.  God Bless you, Billy.

I knew billy since he hired on the KCPD and got to have him work in and around my sector during his final assignment at EPD Dog watch.  He never let up being a top notch copper right up to his very last day on the job.  He could talk to anyone, anywhere at any time...  and the people, crooks included, were always at ease with him.  I will miss him and know that if what good you do is what pays your dues to enter heaven...  he has change comming.

Sgt. Jim Wycoff - KCPD Retired

billy

you will be missed. class 123 has lost one of the best.

ed sanford

Good bye old buddy.  Thanks for the memories.

Billy. You were a GREAT cop. I actually learned much from you as a rookie. Peace with you and your family.

Whenever old coppers sit around, tell stories, and drink Diet Coke, Billy's name always comes up.  I suspect he will continue to come up as he was one of the last "characters" on the job as well as one of the finest street officers the KCPD ever had.

I knew Billy for a relatively  short time, but in that time I grew to respect and love him.  I'll truly miss you Billy.

I shall raise a glass to one of the finest cops I ever worked with.  I learned a lot from Billy.

Jim Soligo. KCPD Ret. Oklahoma

Billy,
  I know you are in a better place and no longer suffering.  You were one of the best street cops I ever knew and I know you will be missed by all who knew you.
  As one old marine to another: SEMPER FI!

Billy.  I learned a lot working with you.  On and off the job.  I can't use the word were.
You will always be a great cop and will be missed.
Jim Soligo.  KCPD RET., Oklahoma.

I worked around Billy for several years and he was truly a cops,cop.He will be missed by all who knew him.
Larry Keller, Phoenix Az

We go back a long way Billy, leave a light on for me.

May God be with you and your family at this time of sorrow.  Billy was truly a legend.  Love, Marla and Bob Sammon, Raytown, Mo.

I worked with Billy, never knew a better man or Police Officer, he will be missed.

OBITUARY

William R. Martin Jr.

July 16, 1946 – June 9, 2010

McGilley Antioch Chapel

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