Lester William Martin was born October 14, 1923 at Clarksville, Johnson Co., Ar. to Jessie Lester M & Ruby Ellen Byers Martin. October 18, 1941 Lester married Thedda Janiece Martin both residents of Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., Ar. The marriage was in Crawford Co., Ar. Lester enlisted in the US Army February 23, 1945 at Camp Joepth T Robinson, Little Rock, Ar. On his enlistment he states he has completed 4 years of high school and his civil occupation was "Musicians & Teachers of Music." Nothing more is known about his time in the service. Lester William Martin passed away May 9, 2021 at Fort Smith, Sebastian Co., Ar. His burial was in the National Cemetery at Fort Smith. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~` Lester William Martin, 98, of Van Buren, AR passed away May 9, 2021 in Fort Smith. He was born October 14, 1923 in Clarksville, AR to the late Lester Jessie and Ruby Ellen Martin. LW was a WWII Army veteran , Mason at Van Buren Lodge #6 and attended Zion Baptist Church in Van Buren. He was preceded in death by his wife Thedda and brother Rev Audra Martin. He is survived by his sons Jimmie Martin (Evelyn) of Edmond, OK and Larry Martin of Van Buren along with his grandson James Eric Martin of Edmond as well as several nieces and one nephew. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Friday May 14, 2021 at Lewis Funeral Chapel 4817 Kelley Hwy in Fort Smith. Private interment will be at a later date at U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith.