Funeral services for Bill Martin 82, Eustace have been scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday September 22, 2017 at St. John Lutheran Church, Athens with Pastor Seth Davidson officiating.
Burial will follow at 4 Mile Lutheran Cemetery, Prairieville, Texas under the direction of Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home, Athens.
Bill passed away Tuesday afternoon peacefully at home.
He was born October 19, 1929 in Ardmore, Oklahoma to the late Oscar Richard and Maude Lucille Massingil Martin. Bill served in the U.S. Army for five years as an electronic instructor for the missile defense systems. He then started his career in the trucking industry that eventually led him to owning his own trucking company. While Bill and his family lived in Desoto, Texas he was very involved in the Dallas County 4-H program where he was an Adult 4-H Leader. The family moved to Eustace, Texas in 1974 where he and Ruth continued their involvement in the county 4-H program. He was honored by the Texas Agri-Life Extension Service at A&M for his many years in his Adult Leadership role. After retirement Bill concentrated his time to raise show cattle for local students. He was very successful in the club calf program with many steers sold and earning awards for those students. He also enjoyed the grandfather role and made sure his grandchildren were happy. He and Ruth enjoyed their R.V. trips and dancing where they were members of the Van Zandt County Dance Club. Bill and Ruth were members of St. John Lutheran Church and past members of Four Mile Lutheran Church at Prairieville, Texas. Their life of 60 years of marriage was filled with family and everything he worked for was for his family.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years Ruth Martin, son; Wesley Martin and wife Jane of Whitesboro, daughters; Vicky Godwin and her husband JH of Athens, Theresa Tindel and husband Michael of Eustace, grandchildren; Garrett & Shawna Martin of Troy, Michael Stoddard of Sadler, Bryan Godwin of Dallas, Brittany & Brad Pace of Athens, Blake and Nicole Godwin of Richmond, Brady Tindel of Checotah, Oklahoma, Chad Tindel of College Station, great -grandchildren; Summer Martin and Braden Martin of Troy, Ashley Stoddard and Brooke Stoddard and Owen Stoddard all of Angleton, Ethan Pace of Athens, sister-in-law; Shirley Hart and husband Gary of Duncan, Oklahoma, nieces; Sherry Hart of Yukon, Oklahoma, Becky Hamil and husband Mike of Oklahoma, City and Kaylin Hart of Fulshear and cousins in New Mexico and Texas.
Pallbearers will be Garrett Martin, Bryan Godwin, Blake Godwin, Brady Tindel, Chad Tindel and Brad Pace.
Honorary pallbearers are Michael Stoddard, Mike Greenwood, Fred Rogers and Ted Schoeder.
Visitation for family and friends will be from 6-8 p.m. Thursday evening at Autry’s Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home, Athens.