William Jesse Martin

MARTIN, William J., age 80, lifelong resident of Brooksville, Florida died Friday, November 18, 2016 at Brooksville Health Care Center.  Mr. Martin retired from Florida Crushed Stone, was a Master Paratrooper in the U.S. Army and member of Gulf Ridge Park Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and food pantry coordinator.  He loved working where there were children, enjoying VBS, Fall Festival and Spring Fling.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Obed Martin and Laura Kilgore Martin,  brothers, Charles T. Martin and Dale E. Martin and sister, Carol Ellen Martin. Survivors include his wife of 61 years: Wilma Martin of Brooksville, FL; daughters and sons-in-law: Carol Jean & John Fifer of Weeki Wachee, FL; Donna Sue & Mark Milliken and Ellen Denise & Bill Merry all of Brooksville, FL and Jessie Leigh Bell & Greg Morrison of Spring Hill, FL; 19 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren; "adopted son": Rev. Michael & Heidi D'Ambrosio of Brooksville; aunt:  Adelaide Hall and uncle:  Jesse Martin both of Brooksville, along with a host of cousins and his church family. Visitation for friends will be 6-8pm, Tuesday, November 22, 2016 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Brooksville Chapel. Funeral services will be conducted at 11am, Wednesday, November 23, 2016 at  Gulf Ridge Park Baptist Church with Reverend Michael D’Ambrosio officiating. Interment will follow at Lake Lindsey Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the food pantry at Gulf Ridge Park Baptist Church.

ARRANGEMENTS BY

MERRITT FUNERAL HOME

BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA

(352) 796-6699

“Family Owned and Operated”

www.merrittfuneral.com