Billy Martin

Services for Billy Jack Martin, 77, of Bridgeport will be Friday, August 5, 2016 at Pleasant View Baptist Church in Bridgeport, officiated by Brother Gary Demmitt. Burial will follow in Thomas Cemetery. Pallbearers are grandsons Ethan Coursey, Ian Coursey, Zack Sparks, Austin Sparks, Billy Martin Jr., and Cody Martin. Visitation is 6-8 pm, Thursday, August 4 at Jones Family Funeral Home in Bridgeport. Billy Jack passed away Tuesday, August 2 at home. He was born in Boonsville, Texas on New Year’s Eve, December 31, 1938 to Walter Virgil and Pearl Maxine (McDaniel) Martin. Billy Jack married Ruby Mae Rich July 3, 1958. He was in the construction business in the Bridgeport area for many years as a self-employed heavy equipment operator. He was a junk collector, but only good junk, and he enjoyed going to auctions, working in his shop, banjo music, deer hunting, fishing, playing cards, camping. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ruby Mae Martin; sons Billy Edward Martin and wife Kerrie of Bridgeport, and Ricky Dale Martin of Bridgeport; daughter Darla Coursey and husband Lee of Bridgeport; sisters Shirley McNeil of Fort Worth, Texas, Bobbie Read and husband Bill of Paradise, Reba McKeeber and husband Raymond of Bridgeport, and Betty Marie Cobb of Decatur; ten grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Geneva Church, and brother R.V. ‘Sonny’ Martin. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.