Billy J. (Fox) Martin

Billy J. (Fox) Martin went to Heaven Sunday night January 26, 2014. He was surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Chewalla, TN on December 15, 1936 to Seny and Mary Smith Martin, and he grew up with six sisters and one brother. He accepted the Lord and joined the church at an early age. In 1954 he went to California to fish for tuna with his brother O. W. Martin, a commercial fisherman who lived in Sand Diego, California. They went on many successful fishing expeditions off of Central and South America. The boat was a converted World War II Destroyer that was home based in San Diego. It hosted a crew of thirteen men. In 1956 Billy J. enlisted in the U. S. Air Force. He was assigned to the 380th Bomber Wing. His Basic Training was at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. He served at Plattsburg, New York, North Africa, and Lake Charles, LA. and received an Honorable Discharge in 1960, with the rank of Airman First Class. In 1961 he was employed by Tennessee River Pulp & Paper Co. and retired after 32 years of service. He was a member of Union Baptist Church, a 32nd Degree Mason and a member of the VFW. Restoring old tractors and farming were his hobbies. He is survived by his wife of 52 ½ years Ann Crow Martin, three sons: John Martin (Debbie), Billly Martin (Paula), and Clint Martin (Shae) all of Corinth; one daughter, DeAnna Carter (Stacey) of Corinth; fourteen grandchildren: Ashley Kodsi (Bryan), Jacob Fish (Tonya), DeLauren Sweeney (David), John William Martin, Kaylee Brooke Martin, Sullivan Carter, Kerissa Beth Martin, Jacob Billy Carter, Makiho Taniguchi, D. C. Parvin (Bethany), Nicole Davis (Brad), Aundra Settlemires (Robert), Stacy Smith (Erin), Tracy Smith (Madge), and Faith Lafever (Mason), four Great Grandchildren: Logan Fish, Topanga Fish, Brandy Fish and Titus Sweeney, several, step great-grandchildren, sister, Johnnie Wren of Corinth, MS. and also several nephews, nieces, and a host of friends He was preceded in death by his parents, five sisters: Flora Telander, Verna Harben, Bertha Lanza, Marie Derryberry and Dorothy Barnes, one brother, O. W. Martin, and his Crow-in-laws who loved him very much. Funeral service with Military Honors will be Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 1:00 P M at Union Baptist Church with Bro. Raybon Richardson officiating and Eric Powell giving the eulogy. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 28, 2014 from 5:00 P M to 8:00 P M at Magnolia Funeral Home and Wednesday, January 29, 2014 from 11:00 A M until service time at Union Baptist Church. Pallbearers will be Jacob Fish, John William Martin, Brad Davis, David Sweeney, Sullivan Carter, and Jacob Billy Carter.