AUBURN, Ala. — Longtime director of the Franklin Furniture Institute, William “Bill” Martin, died unexpectedly earlier this month.
Martin served as director of the Mississippi State University institute from 2008 to 2017, when it closed. The Franklin Furniture Institute offered educational and technical programs to address the need for middle-skilled furniture manufacturing personnel in the region. In 2016, Martin received the Mississippi Economic Development Council’s Comprehensive Economic Development Award for his work.
In addition to his work at the institute, Martin had a career working in the manufacturing sector. Among his certifications and credentials, he was an advisory board member for the Southeastern Home Furnishings Assn. and for the Home Furnishings Manufacturing Solutions Expo.
A private service for family and close friends will be held in Montgomery on Dec. 17, followed by a small reception. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made in his honor to the Department of Neurology at Vanderbilt Hospital.
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