William S. Martens, II

Dr. William S. Martens (Bill), II, age 76, of Lancaster, traded his earthly home for his heavenly one on Tuesday, October 22,2024. Bill dedicated his life to the field of medicine and to the well-being of his family. 

Bill was born on June 8, 1948, in New Haven, Connecticut. He was the second child of the late Alice Anderson Cocks Martens and Stanton Curry Martens. His sister, Katharine Elizabeth, predeceased him.  

Bill graduated from Hill House High School, He attended Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA for undergraduate school and was a member of Sigma Chi. He had lifelong brothers from his fraternity. He went on to graduate from Albany Medical College with a medical degree. It was in medical school that he met Patty Pelkey, his future wife. Bill fell in love with Patricia (Patty) Pelkey and they married on June 14, 1975.  They married soon after medical school and went to Kansas City, MO for a three-year pediatric residency. 

Patty and Bill came to Lancaster in 1977 to join Lancaster Pediatrics. He founded Red Rose Pediatrics in Lancaster in the mid 1990’s. He shared his exceptional skills and compassionate care with patients and parents for decades. His was recognized as a teacher in the workplace. His co-workers and nurses admired and loved working with him. He retired 3 times, the final one being in 2017. 

Together, they raised five children, creating cherished memories through travel adventures that included ski trips, family trips to Disney World, and explorations of national parks, as well as summers at their beach cottage in Ship Bottom, NJ. He was a loving Papa to eleven grandchildren who brought him immense joy. 

Bill was blessed with a compassionate and generous spirit. He was active in his church, participating in many Bible studies and serving on various committees. He also served as the pediatrician on several cleft lip/cleft palate mission trips. He spent time in South America as well as 6 trips to China. 

He is survived by his wife, Patricia of 49 years, and his children: Robert Martens of York, PA; James (Sarah) Martens of Lititz, PA; Cynthia Martens of Lancaster, PA; and Laura (Sean) Babbitt; along with his daughter-in-law Jenny Martens-Cotton; and eleven grandchildren, Gabriella Babbitt, Ryan McClenaghan, Cameron Martens, Callum Cotton, Jackson Martens, Elara Cotton, Aria Slaugh, Carter Martens, Oliver Babbitt, Theo Babbitt and Sawyer Babbitt. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Mary Alice Martens-Cotton. He adored his family and was so happy to be known as PaPa to his grandchildren. They made him smile and he brought many smiles to them. 

He is also survived by his brother Robert Martens of Dallas, Tx, along with his wife, Ann, and their children and grandchildren. He has many in-laws and nieces and nephews that have known and loved him. He also leaves many brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as tennis and golf buddies. We want you to know how much he cared and loved you all. He would want you to know how much he valued you. 

Interment will be at the convenience of the family. Visitation with the family will be Saturday, October 26th from 9-11am with services from 11am – 12pm located at Hempfield United Methodist Church, 3050 Marietta Ave, Lancaster, PA 17601. There will be a Life Celebration luncheon at the Bachman Center located at 633 Community Way, Lancaster (Homestead Village) from 12:30-2pm. 

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be directed to Hempfield Methodist Church, 3050 Marietta Ave, Lancaster, PA 17601.