William Herndon Martin

William Herndon Martin, a lifelong resident of Culpeper, VA passed away on August 23, 2016 at the age of 88. Mr. Martin is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rose Marie Meadows Martin, and one son William H Martin II of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Son of the late Thomas Irving Martin and Eleanor Aletha Clarke Martin, he was born in the family home on South East Street, March 23, 1928. He is survived by one brother, Thomas Irving Martin Jr. of Culpeper, and was predeceased by the eldest brother, John eFranklin Martin. He graduated from Bluefield College and Virginia Tech with a double major in Business Administration and History.

Willie, as he was known to his family and friends, was very industrious and as a child started a business selling candy and popcorn in the lobby of the Fairfax Theatre in Culpeper. This business later became the Colonial Popcorn and Candy Company. He was the Assistant Manager of the Pitt’s Theatre chain and Colonial Popcorn and Candy Company, working with father, T.I Martin, Manager and Vice President. He was in charge of the construction of new theatres and Drive Ins. Later, Mr. Martin became a Manager for Stone and Webster and worked for them during the construction of the North Anna Nuclear Power Plant. Upon completion of construction, he was employed by Virginia Power and continued his work at North Anna and later worked at the Bath County Pump Storage Power Plant before his retirement in 1996.

In addition to being a life member of the Culpeper Baptist Church, Mr. Martin was active in many local civic organizations including Jaycee’s, Fairfax Masonic Lodge (32 degree Mason), Acca Temple Shrine, Order of Eastern Star, and the Rotary Club. He was Past President of the Culpeper Historical Society and served as a founding board member of the Brandy Station Foundation, and also served as Vice President and President. From 1971 through 2001, Willie Martin served as the President of the Germanna Foundation. During that tenure, he spearheaded efforts to build the Germanna Visitors Center, and also acquired Salubria as a memorial gift from Laura Grayson in memory of her late husband, Gordon Grayson. Mr. Martin also served as Chairman of both the Town of Culpeper Cable Commission and the Town of Culpeper Tourism Commission. He was also President of Historic East Street, a National Register Historic District. He was a dedicated member of both the Culpeper County Fire Department and Culpeper Rescue Squad. Willie was also a member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Civil War Trust, the Virginia Historical Society, Culpeper Renaissance Inc. [CRI], and was a Charter Member of the Culpeper Country Club.