HURST -- Pfc. Joseph Elliot Martin, 89, died on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, surrounded by his wife and loving family.
He was born in Lillian on May 5, 1924, to Joseph Franklin and Ruthie Mae Martin. Mr. Martin served in the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army during the D-Day Invasion of World War II. He was a prisoner of war, a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient, and a man of great generosity and personal integrity.
Mr. Martin accepted Christ as his personal savior when he was 12 years old at a revival meeting at Lillian Church, and was baptized in water tank #2 by the tracks in Lillian. He served The Lord at Handley Baptist Church in Fort Worth.
Survivors: He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Drucilla Martin; his daughter, Lesa Guerrero and his son-in-law, Francisco Guerrero; his brother, William Ned Martin; grandchildren, Joseph Martin Reeves, Jerod Reeves and Sarah Patterson and their wives and husband; two great-granddaughters; many nieces and nephews; and hundreds of others whose lives he touched.