Darrel Race Bill Martin, 93
Darrel Race “Bill” Martin died peacefully in his home on June 14, 2017, in Kalispell, at the age of 93.
Bill Martin was born on March 18, 1924, in Driggs, Idaho, to Dr. Charles J. and Blanche E. Race Martin. At the age of 2, he moved with his family to Libby where he lived for the next 18 years. He was the first Eagle Scout in Libby, obtaining the rank in 1936. While in high school, he played basketball, football, track, and he was also an avid outdoorsman.
After high school he enlisted in the Navy and served three years in the South Pacific aboard the escort carrier, Corregidor, during World War II.
Upon returning from the war, Bill married his high school sweetheart, Patricia E. Manion. In referring to her, he would say, “Behind every good man is a better woman.” He completed his education at the University of Montana where he received a degree in physical education and mathematics.
Upon graduation, he moved the family to Kalispell where he worked at Manion Motors for 33 years, eventually becoming the president and owner. At that time, he served on the International Harvester Dealer Council.
A strong family man, Bill passed his love for the outdoors to his children. As a founding member of the Kalispell Ski Club, he helped develop the Learn to Ski Program, and the annual Ski Swap. In 1957, Bill was elected to the board of directors of Winter Sports Inc. in Whitefish and eventually became the president and chief executive officer. He became president of the Northern Division Ski Association and vice president of the United States Ski Association. He promoted recreational and competitive skiing in Montana, Wyoming and the United States, respectively. In 2016, Bill was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Ski Heritage Center in Whitefish.
In 1985, as a member of the Montana Ambassadors and the Montana International Trade Commission, Bill accompanied the governor on a trade mission to Japan. He served on the advisory board of the School of Business at the University of Montana and was a 20-year member of the Glacier Bank board of directors. At the beginning of his retirement, he served as the executive director of the Flathead Convention and Visitors Bureau. Here, he stimulated nationwide interest in the Flathead Valley as a vacation and convention destination. He was also in charge of fundraising to build the Bigfork Summer Playhouse.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother and father, his wife Patricia Manion Martin, his brothers Chuck and Harold Martin, and sisters, Elizabeth Arsers, Helen Turbyne and Mary Lenore Seims.
He is survived by his six children, Claudia Martin of Monterey, California, Teresa and husband Geoffrey Chabot, Timothy Martin and wife Jeanine, and Kelly and husband John Thies, all of Kalispell, Jody and husband Dennis O’Donnell of Cle Elum, Washington, and Sara and husband Randy Potter of Spokane; 20 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
We love you, Dad, and you will always be remembered as a loving, caring, and supportive father and grandpa to our family.
A rosary will be said at 7 p.m. on Monday, June 19, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home, and the funeral Mass will be held at 12:10 p.m. on Tuesday, June 20, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Kalispell, with a burial to follow at C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery. A reception (celebration of life) will follow from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Patricia Martin Memorial Scholarship at the School of Business at the University of Montana; or St. Matthew’s Parish or Hospice, at KRMC Home Options.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the family.