William Charles Martin passed away Mar. 5, 2024.
Charles was born Mar. 4, 1936 to Jack and Anne Martin in Macomb, OK.
Charles attended school in Tecumseh, OK and graduated in Big Lake, TX where he was a decorated athlete, scholar student and natural leader at a towering height of six feet, six inches tall. Although he was offered a football scholarship to Texas Tech University, Charles chose to attend San Angelo Junior College of San Angelo, TX where he could play both football and basketball, as basketball was his true passion. It was there he met his sweetheart and wife of 54 years, Elizabeth Allene Dickson.
Charles left junior college with an Associates Degree in Civil Engineering. He and Allene then headed north where he played quarterback and offensive lineman for the Iowa State Cyclones. He graduated from ISU in 1959 with a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture. After graduation, he was drafted to play football for the Cleveland Browns. But trusting in his favorite scripture verse, Proverbs 3:5-6, he walked away from football with his wife and baby daughter, and worked as a foreman of an ISU experimental beef farm.
After two years in that position, Charles returned home to Tecumseh where he worked one year as a junior high teacher and athletic coach, then later for the Production Credit Association as an agriculture loan officer.
Charles’s career path took an interesting turn when Tecumseh’s mayor, Herman Hackett, recruited him to serve as City Manager. This Goddirected path resulted in a 34-year career in city administration. He served in Tecumseh for 15 years, Federick, OK for nine and half years, and in Altus, OKfor nine years. He and Allene retired in Altus in 2001.
In addition, he was a proud member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.
Charles was preceded in death by his wife; parents; sister, Barbara Phillips; Grandson, Timothy Nootbaar; Brother-in-law Herbert Holton and Niece, Leslie Holton Martin.
He is survived by his sister, Patricia Holton; his three daughters, their spouses, and children: Kim Nootbaar Leech (Paul Leech); Patti Lamle (Adam Lamle); Jenifer Siemens (Dwight Siemens); Grandchildren: Steven Nootbaar, Michael Nootbaar (Rebekah); Autumn Lamle Cameron (Jeremy); Brock Lamle (Whitney); Will Siemens (Emily); Emily Siemens; 10 great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Services were held Mar. 11, 2024 at William Charles Martin Park in Tecumseh with Reverend Adam Lamle, Dr. Jeff Moore and Reverend Tony Peak officiating under the direction of Cooper Funeral of Tecumseh.
