Bill Martin, a larger-than-life presence in the Pugwash community, has moved on to whatever comes next in life & death. As a Pastor, he seemed to have a good idea of what that might entail. Martin passed away unexpectedly on Thursday morning, July 10th, 2025.
Read Bill’s OBITUARY: William Kenneth Martin, 12 June 1947 – 10 July 2025
Bill and I came to know one another relatively recently, with my return to Oxford in the summer of 2018. Interested in the affairs of the community, I began attending Town Council meetings. He was often there as well, reporting for his online news website, Six Rivers (By the Sea). Almost entirely a one-man show, Bill nearly ran himself ragged driving all over Cumberland County to cover the events of the day. A scheduling change that put Oxford Town Council on the same evening as Cumberland County Council, meant that Bill had to choose, and Oxford was going to be without someone to offer reporting. Bill roped me in, not having any inkling of my abilities as a reporter, though somewhat convinced, since I had —in a previous life— an honest-to-goodness job working in “the biz.”
Coverage of Oxford Town Council meetings expanded to cover more general Oxford news and events. Since The Oxford Journal newspaper folded in 2015, this was a benefit to the community. We came to depend on SixRivers.ca for something more substantial than the social media rumour mill.
Bill Martin was, apart from a newsman, also a man of faith…. and his calling was to reach a wider audience, which led him to close down Six Rivers News in June, 2024, and embark on a syndicated radio show with Inspire-FM, a Christian radio network. That apparently didn’t work out, as Bill returned to relaunch his online radio show (I could never convince him to refer to it as streaming) with HopeCentre.ca, focusing on a morning live interview programme.
Bill was known far and wide… impacting the lives of many. I knew him primarily through our shared interest in telling the stories of the communities in which we live. There will be other eulogies and tributes, undoubtedly. HelloOxford received messages of those who knew Bill, which we provide below as a small indication of his wide circle of friends and collaborators:
N.S. Minister of Natural Resources, Tory Rushton: “I was in shock with the news of Bill’s passing this week. Bill and I have been friends for some time. I first met Bill through the fire service where he found yet another way to give back to the community. When I entered politics, I got to know Bill in a separate way. As radio host/reporter, who, despite our friendship, always found a way to ask the tough questions when needed. He was enthusiastic about many things, but getting local news to Cumberland County residents was a driving force for Bill’s daily activities in recent years. Our weekly interviews started in 2018 discussing local issues and events relative to Cumberland South. In recent years, Bill was always inquisitive about what was happening at the Cabinet table and how things would impact the whole of Cumberland.
Bill loved Cumberland County and specifically the Village of Pugwash. He always inquired about what was happening on the ground in the different areas of our county. He and I often spoke about ideas we shared and opportunities for our respective areas. If he did not know about a subject or an area, he wanted to learn and then learn more and then talk. And we all know Bill could talk. There were times he was so enthusiastic, I did not have to say many words during our interviews. I am not sure what will replace our weekly interviews and updates, but until recently, Bill and I really did not have an appreciation of the size of the audience we had built over the last 7 years. Our last interview was Wednesday and since the news on Thursday, I have heard from some loyal listeners with words of sympathy for Bill’s family and friends.
As a friend, Bill often joked, he never heard me play the bagpipes. Not that I play a lot, but Bill will now be able to hear every note I play, and I know he will give a grin and a chuckle whenever I play off key. I will certainly miss our weekly interviews, but I will miss his friendship more.”
Cumberland County Mayor Rod Gilroy: “The news of Bill’s passing this week was so sad to receive. Bill was so great to me in so many ways. Always gracious and a real gentleman in every discussion or interview we had since I became Mayor. I, unlike perhaps others, so looked forward to our radio interviews after every meeting. I likened it to when an old friend calls just to catch up on the news. I will never forget him or his compassion for me during the Poison Lake incident when he called me several times just to check on me off the record. His concern for my well being was very real and honest and much needed by me at the time. Although there will be no more of our lively radio chats, I am sure the next time we meet he will be smiling and asking: ‘Well, Mr Mayor — where were you today?’ RIP my friend, until we meet again.”
Former Cumberland County Mayor Murray Scott: “Linda and I would like to offer our condolences to Bill’s family on his passing. We first met Bill when he pastored at the Baptist Church in Pugwash. He always made us feel welcome in his church. After I became the Mayor of the Municipality Bill and I engaged in many conversations, both on the air and off. We talked about many issues, from religion and politics to community issues in general. During our on-the-air conversations, Bill was very knowledgeable about many subjects and was always very respectful and professional. While Bill and I may not have agreed on all issues, we certainly had a mutual respect for each other. We will always be grateful for Bill’s friendship and support over the years. Our community has certainly lost a loyal citizen and a true visionary. May you rest in peace, Bill.”
Oxford Mayor Greg Henley: “I called in once for a radio chat… Bill forgot to let me speak… easiest interview I have ever did. (I am exaggerating a tad)” (See Mayor Henley’s “Mayor’s Corner” column for more on his work with Bill)
Amherst Mayor Rob Small: “While I never met Bill in person, Bill and I had developed a great relationship during our many interviews since becoming elected last year. I enjoyed hearing Bill’s views on a variety of topics and issues that were always current with what was going on each week. I always believed that Bill’s heart was always in the right place when it came to our area of Nova Scotia. He was a strong voice for Cumberland and his passion for supporting the good things in life were evident each time we spoke. He will be missed by all of us who had the opportunity to have talk with Bill.”
Former NDP Candidate for Cumberland South, Larry Duchesne: “What first struck me about Bill was his personal commitment to people and community. The Pugwash village commission, Six River News and Radio, and Hope Centre Ministries all were vehicles of service. I was a little shocked to hear of his passing. True, Bill was getting older but he still possessed a dynamism seen in few others. I first met Bill at a meeting of Cumberland County council about eight years ago. Bill told me about his online newspaper and radio show. Having been a reporter hundreds of years ago, I accepted his offer to do a little writing of Oxford events. This continued for a couple of years and we developed a good working relationship. All fun, no pay! And it was fun a lot of the time. After I gave up the volunteer reporting a few years ago, contact with Bill took a different form. Bill interviewed me several times as political candidate and as a rep of Don’t Spray Cumberland County. His interview style was somewhat challenging, but Bill always tried for fairness. I will miss Bill.”
Barry Patriquin: “Bill was very community focused. For example, The Hope Center — it’s purpose was to be available to the community. Music shows, quilting, and Church Events. Bill loved politics and was very capable when it came to getting his point across. He had a great sense of humor and a helper’s heart. Bill was a man with strong Christian convictions, born out of his love for Jesus. Bill was a friend to me and many others. For that, I’m grateful! You will be missed, my friend. I can only imagine all the grandeur and peace to be resting in The Lord’s arms! Your friend, Barry.”
Rayliene Thompson-Conrad: “Bill and I joined the fire service on the same day together (June 17, 2015) in the Pugwash Fire Department. We trained together, and he would later go on to interview me about being a woman in the fire service for his morning show. I always loved running into Bill because I know there would be a big smile and lots of chats to be had. He will be missed.”
As to the future of Martin’s Internet Radio Show, “Morning Talk at HopeCentre“, we await news. Certainly there has been no other regularly-scheduled “face-to-face” between a news host and politicians, covering matters of interest specifically to Cumberland County. Bill’s passing leaves an enormous void in local coverage.
Martin enjoyed weekly discussions with Cumberland South MLA and Provincial Minister of Natural Resources, Tory Rushton; Cumberland County Mayor Rod Gilroy (and before him, Murray Scott); Amherst Mayor Rob Small; Oxford Mayor Greg Henley. Each month, Premier Tim Houston would answer Martin’s questions live on air. The occasional cabinet minister has made an appearance, including Minister of Environment and Climate Change Timothy Halman. Recently the Morning Talk show engaged the Leader of the provincial opposition, the NDP’s Claudia Chender.
Martin also included community news, specifically Oxford, with HelloOxford Editor Mark Rushton contributing local news that followed Oxford’s Town Council meetings bi-weekly. Morning Talk featured local community leaders and volunteers, giving voice to the people. In recent months, psychotherapist Mary Ellen Stevenson joined Bill for wonderfully interesting discussions on sex, relationships and trauma.
Martin archived his Morning Talk interviews on Vimeo, free for anyone to listen to. Check them out while the archive remains available.
