Daniel Willie Martin

Lenoir, NC- Mr. Daniel “Dan” Willie Martin, age 85, of Lenoir, died Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Hudson. Born February 28, 1926 in Wilkes County, he was the son of the late Homer R. and Lillie Mathis Martin. Mr. Martin was a graduate of Wilkesboro High School and attended Haywood Tech and NC State University. He retired from Fairfield Chair Company and was a member of Lower Creek Baptist Church. He was a Mason with the Hibriten Lodge #262 and member of Foothills Shrine Club, Oasis Shrine Temple and the Scottish Rite Free Masonry. Mr. Martin was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who was kind and compassionate and loved his family. He was an avid outdoorsman. He raised miniature horses, was a huge sports fan, loved to garden and cook and enjoyed music and dancing. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Lucy M. Hobson. He is survived by his wife, Ina Walsh Martin to whom they shared 60 years of marriage, his daughter, Renee Martin Smith of Morganton; two sons, Daniel Willie Martin, II and wife Tammy of Lenoir; Thomas Neal Martin and wife Beth of Winchester, KY; grandchildren, Willie Martin, Martin Smith, Trey Martin, Taylor Smith, Jordan Martin; great-grandchildren, Lyllian, Mya, and Landon Martin; step-grandchildren, Lindsey and Chad Mohar. He is also survived by his sisters, Ruth M. Conrad of Lewisville, NC; Nell Conrad of Lewisville; brother-in-law, Clinton Walsh and wife Martha of Lenoir; sister-in-law, Betty Jo “BJ” Setzer of Lenoir; sister-in-law, Vivian Taylor and husband Rob of Lenoir and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. A celebration of Mr. Martin’s life will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, December 31, 2011 at Lower Creek Baptist Church with Reverend Todd Braswell and Reverend Don Ingle officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Park with Military and Masonic Rites. The family will receive friends on Friday evening from 6:00 until 7:30 PM at Evans Funeral Service & Crematory. Pallbearers will be: Jim, Kenny and Kyle Conrad, Rick Lunsford, Francis Brewington, Richard Patterson Perry and Dennis Mathis. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Benny Ferguson, Larry Hollar, John Olson, Gary Laws and Joe Isaacs. The family extends their grateful appreciation to all his friends, family and the loving staff at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care - Robbins Center in Hudson. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorials be made to: Lower Creek Baptist Church Parlor Fund, 633 Lower Creek Drive, Lenoir, NC 28645 or to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645. PDF Printable Version