On September 23, 2017, Harriette Seiler and Kay Tillow of Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care gathered with friends and loved ones at the home of Jean Elizabeth Tucker to celebrate the life of Bill Martinez.
For many years, Bill was an elected member of the Steering Committee of Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care. Bill worked the community festivals, staffing the booth and carrying tents and tables, to spread the single payer message far and wide. He worked with quiet commitment and compassion, sharing his vision of justice in health care.
In his spare time he created beautiful works in stained glass and tended a splendid garden. He will be sorely missed, but never forgotten. He is pictured here at the Highlands Fest in 2007.
Jean Tucker’s designation of Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care as the recipient of Memorial gifts has resulted in many contributions in Bill’s name. If you would like to contribute, please send checks to: Kentuckians for Single Payer Health Care, c/o Nurses Professional Org., 1169 Eastern Parkway, #2218, Louisville, KY 40217.
This is the obituary from the Courier-Journal
Air Force veteran, semi truck driver, hiker & camper, organic gardener, stained-glass artist, keen photographer, classical music lover, international traveler, lifelong learner, advocate for social justice.
Born March 23, 1937, in Oakland CA to Hawaiian-born parents of Spanish and Puerto Rican ancestry. Moved in 1988 to Madison WI and in 1996 to Lou, KY, where he died on July 24, 2017.
Preceded by brothers Henry and Fra
nk Martinez; sister and brother-in-law Hilda and Merle Aman; and by his beloved cats, especially Lulu.
Survived by his long-time partner Jean Tucker of Lou, KY; brother and sister-in-law, Daniel and Juanita Martinez of Los Angeles CA; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, mostly of CA. Also by long-time steadfast friends, Tony Scott of Lou,KY; Ron Tebbe of Wooster OH; and Patrick and Sylvie Desbois-Sorbé of Salies-de-Béarn, France.
______________________________
At left is one of Bill’s stained glass pieces. Below is a photo of Bill in Senator Mitch McConnell’s office in Washington, DC. The woman with her arms full of petitions for HR 676, national single payer health care, is an assistant to McConnell. Wearing the cap is Bill’s close friend and fellow Teamster, Tony Scott. In the back on the right is Dave McCool.
