George William “Wild Bill” Martin Jr.
George William “Wild Bill” Martin Jr., Age 76 of Christine, TX passed away on June 25, 2024. George was born on November 11, 1947 in Floresville, TX to the late George William Martin Sr. and the late Walta Dee Martin. A long-time resident of Stockdale and Floresville, TX, he attended Texas Tech University and was self-employed in Floresville, TX where he founded and operated “Wild Bill’s Beverage Barn”. He enjoyed his lifelong passions of deer hunting and gunsmithing.
He is preceded in death by his father George William Martin Sr. and mother, Walta Dee Martin.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Carol Martin of Christine (formerly of Kenedy), TX, stepdaughter Susan Menn, stepson Billy Menn, cousins Walter Paul (Virginia) Butler and Joe (Ramona) Butler, niece Marla (Russell) Alabastro and daughters, Ross Beardsley, and Nicholas (Jordan) Beardsley and Allie, Katie, Anna and Maggie and extended family and friends.
Pallbearers will be: Ricky D. Lopez, TY Guevara, Nicholas Beardsley, Ross Beardsley, Doug Bodingfield and David Strozier.
Honorary Pallbearers: Bill Sweat, Delton Marcrum, David York, Joe Butler, Walter Butler, Billy Menn, Bill Beardsley, John Weigand, Robert Higgins, Roxie Adler, Monroe Sickenius.
The Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Eckols Funeral Home in Kenedy Texas from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at 10:00 am at Eckols Funeral Home and burial will be at the Karnes County Memorial Park Cemetery in Kenedy, TX.
Bill and I are cousins but we grew up as “brothers”. He referred to my mother as “aunt mama” One of the fondest memories was dove hunting with him on his farm in Wilson County. We shared many good times together as we grew up and he will be sorely missed.