William Preston Martin, Jr. was born on April 10, 1978 in Cleveland Ohio. He was the first child born to the union of William Preston Martin, Sr. and Patricia Rose Martin. After a courageous fight, William Martin Jr, passed from this life while sleeping peacefully at his residence on November 4, 2023.

William attended and graduated from Cleveland Heights High School. After high school, he attended Universal Technical Institute in Illinois where he earned his Diesel and Auto Mechanics Certificate along with his Associate’s degree. William then landed a job working for RTA and purchased his first home at the age of 26. Soon after had a new home built for his family in Macedonia at the age of 33.

William met his wife, Lisa Simmons, in 2001. They have three children: William Preston Martin III, Kyle Keith Martin, and Morgan Nicole Nicholson. William was a coach for his boys’ wrestling and football teams. William was an avid chess player; he loved bowling and joined many leagues and competed in several tournaments. He also loved fishing, something he did with his father as a child. William, like his father, was a Jack of all trades. In fact, his father was also the first to teach him the auto repair skills that led to his lifelong career.

William was devoted to his family. And he was deeply loved in return. He was an exceptional husband, father, son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend to many. He treasured his family and was dedicated to doing everything he could to make a great life for them. Will exemplified what it meant to live life in the moment. He brought joy, laughter and light to all who were privileged to know him.

William, also known as “Will” or “Billy” by his family, was predeceased by his father, “Big Billy,” his maternal grandparents John and Mary Thomas, his paternal grandmother Deloris Martin and aunt Sandra Henson. He is being laid to rest on his father’s birthday and leaves to cherish his memory: his wife Lisa Simmons, his sons William Martin III and Kyle Martin, his daughter Morgan Nicholson, his grandfather Preston Martin, his siblings Erika Rose Martin and Alan Blake Martin (Kristina), his nieces Emani, Endia and Makaylah Martin, his nephews Alan Jr. and Eddie Martin, great-nephew Legend Horn, his mother and caregiver Patricia Rose Ross-Martin and a host of aunts, uncles, and cousins.