William Alexander Martin

William Alexander Martin of Marshfield, MA passed peacefully on July 2, 2026 surrounded by his devoted family.

Bill was born in Boston, MA on November 13, 1939. His early years shaped his life. Growing up in the Mission Hill projects, in the Huben Court area, he played sports with all of his siblings and the neighborhood kids. An integral part of his formative years was Mission Church, where he was an altar boy and schooled by Xavierian Brothers, who taught him until he graduated from Mission High in 1957. At Mission High, Bill was a standout baseball and basketball player, and he later attended Stonehill College where he earned a degree in History in 1962. Post College, Bill served in the United States Navy at the rank of Seaman Third Class on the U.S.S. Constellation.

When Bill returned from the Navy, he worked at Addressograph/Multigraph and soon a young Sharon Morris caught his eye. They were married at St. Joseph’s Church in Portland, ME in 1965. Shortly after, they settled in Duxbury, MA where they raised their two children, Jill and Peter. During that time, Bill continued to expand his education and went on to earn a masters degree in Education. His love of education became a life-long pursuit as he worked at Weymouth High School until 2002. He taught history, philosophy and psychology as well as serving as an assistant athletic director and driver’s education teacher. In 1989, Bill married his soulmate and love Joanne “Fitzy” Roden of Quincy, MA. She was formerly a school boy crush of his as they were both cut from the same cloth and shared the badge of honor of growing up in Mission Hill. Since that day, the two have been inseparable. “Grampy and Jo Jo” became one phrase, two people inseparable in one love.

Love was “Sweet William’s” figurative middle name, as everyone he met was enchanted by the sparkle in his eye. He held up everyone in his family and his life with unwavering loyalty, inclusion, all-around great humor, and kindness. He truly loved his family and wife so much that it was all he cared about, never looking for material possessions or status. Being kind, helpful, reliable, loyal, and loving was his currency. He was as unselfish as they come.

Bill’s love was also expressed in his highly accomplished career as a member of the O’Rellly Brothers. “Banjo Bill” was gifted musically, and that band of brothers created more joy and revelry developing an Irish folk following that lasted for more than 30 years. His music resonated from the sea shanty bars of New Bedford to the hallowed grounds of Boston Irish pubs and everything in between. Bill loved the South Shore and became a legend on stage playing the harmonica, banjo, and hammered dulcimer. He was known for getting the crowd into a light-hearted frenzy with his Dylanesque voice singing traditional Irish rebel songs.

His South Shore legacy grew even further as he became a staple at Widow’s Walk Golf Course, first in carts, then as the stoic gatekeeper of the starter shed. He loved the locals, the people, the regulars, the pros, and the staff. Bill later passed the torch on to his grandson, Ryan, who carries that same gregarious, fun-loving, jovial nature while taking the job very seriously (maybe more than they should).

Bill loved his family time. He was everyone’s friend, dad, uncle, colleague, brother, grandfather, brother-in-law, and devoted husband. Dad was always your cut man. The guy in your corner and the source of unconditional love and support.

He loved Boston sports, especially his beloved Red Sox, the old Celtics, the Pats, and golf majors. Sundays and playoff runs were shared with Bill, either in person or on the phone, and he passed down his passion to his family. No game went by without him and his daughter Jill calling out cheers, the refs, and good or bad plays.

Brother to the late Lorraine Burns, Helene Tucker, Patricia Drinan and son to the late William Edward Martin of Boston, and Sara Ann MacIsaac of Inverness Nova Scotia as well as many relatives, bandmates, and friends. Survived by his cherished wife, Joanne Theresa Martin of Marshfield, sisters Susan ”Tudy” Connell and her husband Paul of Scituate, Wilma Kubli of Payson, AZ, and his brother Ronald Martin of Boston, his children Jill Martin of Casco, ME and Pete Martin of Scituate, MA as well as his step children Mark Roden of Hartland, VT, David and Selene Roden of Hingham, MA, Daniel Roden of Windsor, VT, and Joelle Gioioso of Pembroke, MA, his former daughter-in-law Monica Martin of Scituate, MA, and grandchildren Owen Jackson Young of Casco, ME, and Ryan Alexander Martin, Audrey Marie Martin and Colin Joseph Martin, all of Scituate, MA.

Bill leaves a legacy of love, and we will miss him more than anyone can know.

“Musha ringum duram da, whack for the Daddy-o, whack for the Daddy-o, there’s Whiskey in the Jar”. (IYKYK)

Visiting hours will be at Richardson-Gaffey Funeral Home at 382 First Parish Road in Scituate, MA on Monday, July 13th from 3-7pm. A Celebration of Life will be held at Widow's Walk Golf Course, 250 Driftway, Scituate, MA on Tuesday, August 11th from 1-4pm.