Martin William King

Martin "Marty" William King, 77, passed away peacefully at home in South Carolina, one of his favorite places to call home, surrounded by his loved ones. Born in Philadelphia, Marty met Linda Susan Drevitson in high school. Their love story began with a fairy tale proposal on a Johnny Mathis-style winter’s night, leading to a beautiful 56-year journey together.

Middle child of five spirited brothers—Joe, Mike, Dennis, and Jimmy—Marty grew up in a lively and tight-knit family. A hardworking and devoted father, Marty lovingly raised his children Valerie, Heather, Martin, Elizabeth, and Michael. He was a devout Christ-follower. Now, he finds peace in Heaven, reunited with his beloved son, Michael and youngest brother, Jimmy.

He was a proud Poppop to 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, with two more on the way. He spent many wonderful years cheering them on at sports games, celebrating birthdays, and being present for the moments that mattered most. We are grateful for the countless videos that forever capture his unwavering dedication to family.

Marty had a distinguished career as the Executive Director of Worldwide Customer Service, earning numerous awards for his ability to assess people’s strengths and help them excel. He had a gift for recognizing talent, and many of the individuals he hired in the 1970s went on to launch successful careers in other companies—remaining lifelong friends along the way.

Marty was involved in community outreach with a men’s group and had a deep passion for giving back. He also loved the opportunity to drive trucks cross-country, and his love for flying extended beyond just the air—he flew Cessnas, and had a lifelong passion for model planes, even flying remote-controlled airplanes before drones existed. He was an avid golfer, playing at courses all over the world, including in Scotland. He was an adventurous traveler, with his beloved wife, Linda, from Australia to Egypt.

If you knew Marty, you knew he had a knack for giving directions—he was basically a walking map. When you needed to get somewhere he could tell you how to get there or find the best place to eat. His favorite spots were often hole-in-the-wall diners, drive-ins, and dives, where he loved to eat and share a good meal. He also enjoyed cooking for his family, and many of his comfort food recipes will live on and be made in the homes of his loved ones for generations.

Above all, Marty was a family man. No matter the circumstance, he would move Heaven and Earth to be by his family’s side, providing anything they needed. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Linda’s GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/15bc68f3 to support her during this time.

Marty’s love, laughter, and legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.