Billy Pat Martin

June 22, 1927 - July 3, 2016

Billy Pat (Bill) Martin, 89, of Daingerfield passed from this world into heaven at his son's home in Texarkana, Texas, on July 3, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Sulphur Bluff, Texas, on June 22, 1927. Bill gave his life to Christ at the age of 12 and joined the First Methodist Church of Sulphur Bluff. He graduated from Sulphur Bluff. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army toward the end of World War II. His G.I. benefits allowed him to go to technical school, learning electrical instrumentation. In 1951, he went to work for Lone Star Steel Company as an Instrument Repair Technician; a career that lasted for 34 years. Upon his retirement from Lone Star Steel, he worked as co-owner of Martin's General Merchandise, Martin's Auto Parts, and Martin's Tax and Bookkeeping Service of Daingerfield. He finally retired at the young age of 87. His favorite past time was watching The Texas Rangers and Dallas Cowboys when he was not gardening, cooking or playing computer games. Bill's claim to fame was being an excellent maker of jelly. Bill met the love of his life Betty Lynn Dalby and on July 10, 1953 they became the first couple married in the new sanctuary of the First Methodist Church of Daingerfield. Shortly thereafter, Bill transferred his membership from Sulphur Bluff to Daingerfield. He was preceded in death by his parents, Murley Clyde Martin and Kate Stubblefield Martin and sister LaVerne Martin Hicks; and in-laws John Henry and Oletta H. Dalby and brother in law, Richard H (Dick) Dalby. Bill is survived by his loving wife, Betty of 63 years ; two sons: Billy John (BJ) Martin and wife, Jackie Davlin Martin of Texarkana and Walter Lee (Wally) Martin and wife, Jill Cleveland Martin of Hughes Springs; three grandsons: Paul Henry Martin and wife, Kristin of Ft. Worth; Brian Anthony Martin and wife, Crysten and Terry Runk and wife, Kristy of Daingerfield; one granddaughter Nichole Waddill and husband Chris of Texarkana; and six great-grandchildren: Caytlyn and William Jack Martin, Graci and Maggie Runk, and Ashten and Maylee Waddill; Brother in law John Deryl Dalby and wife Gerry Dalby of Dallas and nephew Hal Hicks. Special thanks go to the caregivers and staff of the Dierksen Memorial Hospice of Texarkana for their loving care of Bill while at home with his family. He will be deeply missed by all of his family, friends, co-workers, clients, and extended family. Visitation with the family is 6-8 pm, Tuesday July 5,, at the Nail Haggard Funeral Home. Services are at 11 am, Wednesday, July 6, the First United Methodist Church in Daingerfield with Brother Dan Gilliam officiating. Burial will be at the Daingerfield Cemetery.