Ernest Martin Jr.

Ernest William Martin Jr., better known to some as Bill or Billy, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, December 28, 2020.  He was born December 8, 1944 in Greensboro, NC to Ernest William Martin Sr. & Helen Leonard Martin.  He was a member of Shady Grove Wesleyan Church. He was part of the last graduating class of 1963 at Bessemer H.S. and was retired from AMP/Tyco Electronics. Bill was known to many, for he never met a stranger.  He was always cracking jokes, making people laugh, and giving great big bear hugs.  Nobody can forget the times when he would have everyone over to eat and we would all sit around pickin’ & grinnin’.  He loved music and his family and friends were his life.  In his spare time, he loved to work with his hands making things out of wood or iron, working in the yard or just sitting outside on the porch while enjoying nature and what God created. Bill was preceded in death by his father, mother, step-father Sydney Collins, his brother Glenn Martin, his step-son Charlie Welborn & his grandson Tommy Martin.  He is survived by his wife, Sylvia Martin; his son, Billy Martin (wife Debra); his two daughters, Holly Shoffner, and April Albright (husband, Jason); his goddaughter, Jena Martin Griffin (husband, Brian); his brother, Rick Martin (wife, Janet); his four sisters, Bobbie Cecil (husband, Eddie), Gina Painter (husband, John), Tammy Zimmerman (husband, Mike), and Teresa Stephens; seven grandchildren; one great grandson; and many nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 2, 2021 at Lakeview Memorial Park in Greensboro with Pastor Todd Reynolds officiating. Due to public restrictions, there will be no formal visitation. Friends and family may come and sign the register for Mr. Martin on Friday, January 1, 2021 from 1:00PM-4:00PM at Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel.