Ruben "R.W." Walker Martin

Ruben Walker Martin, 85, died Monday, February 21, 2011 at Landmark Nursing & Rehab after a brief illness. He was born July 4, 1925 in Benton County to the late George W. and Artie Woods Martin. He attended Booneville High School and married Betty Jo Clark on December 28, 1946. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943 and spent two years in the South Pacific during WWII. He served in the Marshall Islands, Aniweta, Quadulene, and in the invasion of Okinawa. After an honorable discharge in 1946, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1948. He served in the 11th Airborne Division during the Korean Conflict and was stationed in Munich and Batos, Germany. He retired from the Brown Shoe Company and was a member of the Church of Christ. He was a life member of the VFW and a member of the American Legion..

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at the McMillan Funeral Home Chapel with Minister Tony Brown and Dwain Brown officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in the Martin Hill Cemetery.

He is survived by three sons, James Walker Martin (Janet) of Germantown, Billy George Martin (Denise) of Booneville, and Ruben Paul Martin (Bobbie Carol) of Kossuth; two daughters, Teresa Gail Massey (Lawrence) of Gulfport and Ellen Frances Bryant (Richard Saffa) of Sherman, Texas; one sister, Faye Lester of Booneville; seven grandchildren, Adam Martin, Alex Martin, Justin Massey, Joshua Martin Bryant, Clark Martin, Ali Martin, and Ronna Leigh Martin; four great-grandchildren, Landon Martin, Tyler Martin, Anna Gray Massey, and Caroline Massey; host of nieces and nephews; special friend, Dottie West.

He was preceded in death by his wife; two sons, Dillard Carroll and Patrick Wayne; one daughter, Illora Lane Martin; his parents; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joe and Ada Clark; two brothers, Olen Martin and Dewey Martin; one grandson, Trey Bryant.

Pallbearers will be Adam Martin, Alex Martin, Justin Massey, Josh Bryant, Clark Martin and Wesley English. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Lester, Brian Lester, Claude Kennedy, Norman Young, Johnny Johnson, Kevin Stevens and Tim Hare.

Visitation will be 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and until service time Wednesday at the funeral home.