Billy Joe Martin

1938 - 2023

BILLY JOE MARTIN JUNE 30, 1938 – AUGUST 15, 2023

Billy Joe Martin passed away peacefully on August 15, 2023, in San Antonio, Texas. Billy was born in Milan, Tennessee to Ernest and Catherine Martin. Family and friends will fondly remember Billy as a very charismatic and sociable person who lived life to the fullest. He had many friends and always made people feel special with his contagious smile and dynamic personality.

Billy lived in many different places, including Georgia, but spent most of his life in his home state of Tennessee. He started his working career in the 1960s in Georgia in the food industry. He worked for S&S cafeteria in Augusta, Georgia, then later became food director at the local hospital in Eastman, Georgia. As a successful food director, Billy also helped open the Oglethorpe dining hall at the University of Georgia, which still operates today as one of the University's most popular dining halls. Lastly, he moved back to Augusta for his most prestigious position as food director for the Medical College of Georgia. After working in the food industry, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee in the 1970s to work for National Safety Associates (NSA). As a territory manager, he transferred with the company to Mississippi and recruited many key people to the business. After his career ended with NSA, Billy returned to Tennessee a few years later and made Germantown his home for many years where he worked in sales.

Because of his history with food, he was an excellent cook and enjoyed impressing people with wonderful gourmet meals. He was also a talented athlete which first paid off in high school when Billy was awarded a football scholarship to Tennessee Tech. He loved all sports, but found his true love with the sport of croquet in the 1990's. In his hay day, Billy travelled the country playing in numerous tournaments and winning national championships. During that time, he helped with the building of two croquet courts at Johnson Road Park in Germantown, Tennessee. Because of Billy's love and obsession with the sport, he wanted to share his enthusiasm and knowledge of the game by introducing people of all ages to the sport. Up until Billy's last days, he would talk proudly of his accomplishments in croquet and tell his stories to all who would listen.

Billy lived his later years in Heiskell, Tennessee, with his loving wife, Katie. After Katie passed, he moved to San Antonio in 2020 to be with family.

We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the nurses and staff at Gentiva Hospice for their outstanding care and compassion for Billy these past few years.

In addition to his parents, Billy is preceded in death by his late wife, Katie Vaughn; an infant son, Kerry Lyn; a sister, Mary Ellen Munson; his brothers, Charles Martin, Jerry Martin, James Martin, and Raymond Martin. He is survived by his children, Greg Martin (Deborah Morris), Wendy Waters Cassiano (Hector), Melanie Hendrix (Jerry), Thomas Gregory Martin (Meredith); his grandchildren, Jennifer Waters, Whitney Steinfeld, Taylor Vanvalkenburgh, Patrick Martin; four great-grandchildren; his brother, Leon Martin (Ildi); and sister-in-law, Irine Martin. He is also survived by his former wives, Mary Knight, Sandra Martin, and his loyal and dedicated friend, Howard Watson.

MEMORIAL SERVICE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2023
11:00 AM
BALMORAL BAPTIST CHURCH
2676 KIRBY ROAD
GERMANTOWN, TN 38119

The Reverend Jack Moore will be officiating.

You are invited to sign the Guestbook at www.porterloring.com

Arrangements with PORTER LORING MORTUARY WEST
1710 WEST LOOP 1604 NORTH
SAN ANTONIO, TX 78251 – (210) 891-0000