Billy Martin Georgetown Restaurateur
Billy Martin, 82, who formerly owned and operated two Georgetown institutions, Martin's Tavern and Billy Martin's Carriage House, died Nov. 21 at a hospital in Vero Beach, Fla. He had pneumonia.
Mr. Martin joined his father in running Martin's Tavern in the late 1940s. The restaurant opened in 1933, at the end of Prohibition.
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Described as humble and homey, the 100-seat business at 1264 Wisconsin Ave. became a favorite watering hole for politicians, journalists and visiting film stars. Billy Martin left the business to his son and namesake in 2001.
In 1953, Mr. Martin opened Billy Martin's Carriage House at 1238 Wisconsin Ave. The 700-seat eatery had six dining rooms and a piano bar called the Snuggery. He sold the Carriage House in 1982.
He wrote a booklet, "A Tale of Taverns in Colonial Georgetown."
William Allen Martin was a native Washingtonian and a graduate of Georgetown Prep and Georgetown University. While at the university in the mid-1940s, he was a Golden Gloves boxing champion with a 44-0 record. He served with the Navy in the Pacific during World War II.
In the 1950s, he played golf on the pro-am circuit and was friends with professional golfer Raymond Floyd, who became the best man at his second wedding. He was a former member of Washington Golf and Country Club in Arlington.
He moved from Arlington to Vero Beach in 2001. His hobbies included boating and fishing.
His marriage to Lila Weichbrodt Martin ended in divorce.
Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Kelli Ireson Martin of Vero Beach; six children from his first marriage, William A. Martin Jr. of Sterling, Michael M. Martin of Richmond, Lila M. Bloecker of Tamarac, Fla., Melanie Lynn of Grifton, N.C., Michelle Jensen of Lighthouse Point, Fla., and Kimberly Green of Eustis, Fla.; a sister; 12 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
