Wilson Martin

Wilson B. Martin, 84, a resident of Riviera, Texas passed away peacefully in his home on Saturday, July 25, 2015. He was born to Parson Martin and Inez Chase Martin in Saxis, Virginia on August 10, 1930. He graduated in 1947 from Atlantic High School, Atlantic, Virginia. After Martin graduated from high school, his vocation became hunting and fishing in the Pocomoke Sound in Saxis. In 1951 he joined the Navy. He was stationed at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station where he drove a search and rescue boat. He was later sent to Site 55 at Riviera Beach. While stationed at Site 55, he met June West. After the death of his father, he returned home to Virginia to help his mother. He began working at the Saxis Hunting Club. Soon after moving back to Virginia, he married June West in November 22, 1952. They later relocated back to Texas where he began working with his father-in-law, Frank West. They built the jetties at Port Mansfield. He then began working for Shell Oil on an inland bay seismic crew. While working for Shell, he built himself a boat and would later begin working as a contractor for various oil companies. He continued working in the oil business for 65 years. Martin was a self-taught and skilled craftsman in carpentry and demonstrated this by his love of building boats for himself as well as others. He also loved to fly. He obtained his commercial aircraft and helicopter license. Over his lifetime, he became an avid and experienced pilot. He would go on to own a helicopter and a small private airplane that he used for business and later personal use.
Wilson has been a member and officer of the Riviera School Board for 28 years; he was still an active member upon his death. For years, he supported the youth of Riviera and Kleberg County by purchasing exhibitor's animals from the Kleberg/Kenedy County Junior Livestock Show.
Wilson was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Eugene Martin; and sister, Emma Jean Hawthorn.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years of marriage, June Martin of Riviera; five children, Will Martin of Kingsville, Texas, Guy Martin of Riviera, Sandra Brownrigg (Jim) of College Station, Texas, Terry Martin (Meghan) of New Smyrna Beach, Florida and Kelly Martin of Caddo, Texas; two brothers, Jerry Martin of Missouri City, Texas and Edwin Martin of Saxis, Virginia; five grandchildren, Garrett Martin (Elizabeth), Cameron Martin, Blaine Brownrigg, Kelsey Brownrigg and Gavin Martin; two great-grandchildren, Ryland and Lillian Kate Martin; brother and sister in-law, Carroll and Ruth West; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A private burial with full military honors will be held Friday, July 31, 2015 at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery, Corpus Christi, Texas. A memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 1, 2015 at the First Baptist Church of Riviera, South 8th Street and Pecan, Riviera, Texas. A reception will take place immediately after the memorial service at Sea Wind Resort, 1006 East FM 628, Loyola Beach.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of one's choice.
Services are entrusted to Turcotte-Piper Mortuary, 205 General Cavazos Blvd., Kingsville, Texas.

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