The second of Gainesville High School's "Two Billys," who thrilled GHS fans in the early 1960s and then continued their football exploits at Georgia Tech and in the National Football League, has died.
Billy Martin, who lived in Cumming, died Wednesday at the age of 75.
After graduating from Georgia Tech, Martin spent several years in the National Football League, playing for the Chicago Bears, the Atlanta Falcons and the Minnesota Vikings. Martin was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, the Georgia Tech Hall of Fame and the Sports Hall of Fame at the Northeast Georgia History Center in Gainesville. Martin's GHS football jersey was retired in 2009.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 11:00 at First Redeemer Church in Cumming. McDonald & Son funeral home is in charge of arrangements.
The second half of the duo, Billy Lothridge, died in 1996.
Billy Martin (Courtesy http://history.library.gatech.edu/)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2018/3/648075/former-ghs-gt-football-standout-billy-martin-has-died