William E. “Bill” Martz

William E. “Bill” Martz

(December 31, 1934 –  November 25, 2023 )

William E. “Bill” Martz , 88, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 4:23 a.m. Saturday, November 25, 2023 in St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, IL.

Graveside services will be held at noon on Thursday, November 30, 2023 in Glenwood Cemetery (Section A), Shelbyville, IL, with Rev. Greg Breeden officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Shelby County Honor Guard. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Saving Orphaned Animals in Shelby County.

Bill was born on December 31, 1934 in Shelbyville, IL, the son of Marion Jacob and Bertha Esther (Phillips) Martz. He attended Shelbyville High School and went on to serve in the United States Navy during the Korean War. Bill worked for Bill Sain at Bill’s Body Shop in Shelbyville, IL for many years.  He loved restoring cars and recently helped a friend, Brian Hudson, with his restoration project.  Bill was affiliated with St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Shelbyville and was a member of VFW Post #4829 in Shelbyville.  He married Karla Kay Lower on August 9, 1957.

He is survived by his wife, Karla; daughter, Kelly Jean Martz (Billy) of Jackson, MI; son, Brad Martz (Peggy) of Shelbyville, IL; sisters, Phyllis Ashinhurst (Roy) of Mission, TX and Marion Janet Kroninger (Charles) of Decatur, IL; sister-in-law,  Jennie Lower of Shelbyville, IL; six grandchildren, Doug Martz (Bree), Brandon Martz (Amanda), Brock Bush, Drake Martz (Tiffany), Quinn Martz (Madison) and Tate Martz (Victoria); and four great grandchildren, Grayson, Dayton, Kash, and Logan Martz.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Tony Martz on April 22, 1999; and brother-in-law, Randall “Randy” Lower.