MSgt. Manuel Martinez, USAF (Ret.)

Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 PM on Friday, February 26, 2021 at Elliot Hamil Funeral Home, 5701 US HWY 277 S. Funeral Services will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, February 27, 2021 at Ambler Baptist Church, 2150 Park Ave, Abilene. Eddie Puga, Pastor of Ambler Baptist Church will be officiating. Burial will follow in the Elliot Hamil Garden of Memories Cemetery under the direction of Elliot Hamil Funeral Home.

Manuel Martinez was born April 13, 1946 in Baird, Texas. He was the 6th child born to Guadalupe and Antonia Martinez. He married Anita Jimenez, August 21st, 1965 in Abilene, Texas. He attended Baird High School. He and Anita had two children. Sylvia Martinez and Richard Martinez both of Abilene Texas.

Manuel went back to school to complete his education. He held several positions prior to enlisting in the US Air Force. He worked at road construction, several telephone companies and as an instrument buffer, He enlisted in the Air Force in 1973. Manuel retired from the Air force in 1993. After he retired, he went on the have careers at the Abilene State School and AISD, eventually retiring completely in 2009. He was a member of the Ambler Baptist Church.

Manuel was a very proud veteran. His career took him to several locations around the world. His awards included the Meritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters, AF Commendation Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters the AF Achievement Medal with 2 oak leaf clusters and the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star. His career had many highlights, including meeting important people and dignitaries. He was most proud of meeting Colin Powel and Roy Benavides. He was also proud of the role he had in establishing supply and support for the B-1 when it was brought to Dyess.

Manuel was always full of life and had a story to tell. He never met a stranger and seemed to know someone everywhere he went. He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, golfing, watching his grandsons as they played sports and spending time with his family. He would play Santa at Christmas and made a lot of people smile.

Manuel was preceded in death by his wife Anita, his parents Guadalupe and Antonia, his brother Elias Martinez, and his sister Sarah Wilder. Manuel is survived by his children Sylvia Martinez of Abilene and Richard and wife Juanita Martinez of Abilene, Texas. He has three grandsons and two granddaughter-in laws that he loved very much: Richard and Perla Martinez of Ft. Worth, Lorenzo and Brittney Martinez of Abilene and Michael Martinez of Abilene. His brother Samuel Martinez and sisters Rebecca Robertson of Abilene, Ruby and Larry Joe Rinehart of Phoenix, Arizona, and Ophelia Troup Abilene and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.