Abel “Billy” Martinez

Aaron and Kathryn, we are so sorry for your loss and pray for your entire family's comfort.

Ruth and family, I am so sorry for your loss of Billy and I will be praying for your healing during this time! He was such a great guy and so many people adored him. He always called me “Ken”! I could always depend on him to crack that joke and bring a smile to my face. I loved our group of friends we had while I lived in Lubbock- always felt loved. Our outings were sooo much fun!! If there is anything I can say about Billy that stands out to me most is that he is always Billy- wherever you saw him- always himself !! Laid back and friendly! I am fortunate to be able to have had the chance to share some great times with Billy and Ruth. Even though I am across the Country those memories will always have a special place in my ❤️ Love ya’ll

My deepest condolences to the Martinez family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

We're so sorry for your loss. Even though I only met Billy once, it was clear how special he was to everyone around him. His kindness really stood out, and we're thinking of you and your family during this tough time. Wishing you peace and comfort in the days ahead. With love, Kenneth and Gabriel

Ruth, Aaron, Jacob, Angela, and extended family please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers during this time and days to come. The Lord will provide peace and comfort today and forever. He feels your pain and sees your tears. He is with you! Because of the one who loves us, Edith(Edie) Chapa Morales

We will greatly miss our cousin since he had a special place in our hearts. It’s comforting to know that Billy is healed and rejoicing in heaven. May God comfort the Martinez family and friends who loved him and will miss him too. Rest in peace, cousin.❤️🙏✝️

My deepest sympathy to Ruth and family.,

Our thoughts and prayers for Ruth and the family. We were sad to hear that Billy had passed. Billy was always a kind and gentle soul. He used to say funny things at the right time and fun to be with. He nicknamed me “ Fast Eddie “ and we used laugh about it. We will miss him, but he will remain in our hearts.

MAY GOD BE WITH THE MARTINEZ FAMILY / MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO RUTH & FAMILY . I SURELY WILL MISS MY FRIEND . WE WILL MEET AGAIN ON ANOTHER COURSE - PLAY GOLF AND LAUGH & MAKE JOKES . ILL MISS YOU MY FRIEND . GOD BLESS. GO WITH GOD MY FRIEND.

In behalf of the Almaguer family I want to send our respects and condolences to Ruth, Aaron, Jacob, and Angela. I'm Johnny, I hurt for the loss of my friend, my neighbor for so many years , my Sunday school teacher. That cluster of homes beside each other on Erskine was special . MARTINEZ 1 ,MARTINEZ 2, IBARRA, Everyone one of these families have deep roots in my memory. I mourn for Billy, but I know he's up there with my brother Joel, teaching my brother how to play golf ! I love you guys

Billy will be greatly missed and have wonderful memories of the great times we had together. He will always be remembered and will see him someday in heaven. May God bring peace and comfort to Ruth, Aaron, Jacob, Angela and grandchildren during this difficult time.❤️🙏

What a very kind man!!! I’ll never forget how he reached out to me while Abe was in the hospital, he told me to be there for Abe but to make sure I was also taking care of myself. I reached out to Ruth (while he was in the hsp) and returned the same advice . I prayed for the same outcome for Ruth and his family but God has other plans for Billy. God bless you all and Angela thank you for your love and concern. And I pray for peace 😪🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

We have wonderful memories of Billy and will remember the good times we had together. He will be missed and will never. be forgotten. May God comfort Ruth, Aaron, Jacob, Angela & grandchildren during this difficult time.

I first met Billy in 1968 when we were juniors at Lubbock High School. Billy, Robert G., Rudy G., Ruben M., and myself soon became fast friends. Billy was very popular and could always put a smile on someone's face to make them laugh. We played intramural football, decorated classroom doors for homecoming, went to football and basketball games, and generally hung around like other teenagers of that time did. I watched TV in the living room at Billy's house and we listened to music in his room. Sometimes Billy would give us a ride home in his and Lisa's VW and other times Robert or myself would give Billy a ride home. Sometimes we would grab an afternoon snack (small burger, small fries, and drink for 25 cents) at the KooKoo burger After graduation we attended Texas Tech as freshmen, but spent more time in the SUB than going to class. By the second semester we were all working, in the military, or doing other things. After my stint in the military I returned home and would still visit Billy from time to time. I remember playing cards in his and Ruth's kitchen, playing softball, officiating Little Leauge games. working to renovate his church, and going cruising in my 1970 Triumph Spitfire with the top down. Good times. With time , parenthood and family time become more important so we saw less of each other. I left Lubbock in 1986 and we lost touch, even though I did visit Billy at least once when I was back in Lubbock visiting. In 1996 I was living in Ft. Worth and suffered a heart attack. Billy called me to ask how I was doing to wish me a speedy recovery. I still appreciate that call. I returned to Lubbock in 2003 and I occsionally saw Billy and we talked on the phone a few times. A couple of years ago Robert G. ran into Billy and told him that he amd I had been getting together for lunch about once a month and asked Billy if would like to join us. The three of us started to meet monthly for lunch, where we would reminisce, share our now aged perspectives on all sorts of matters, and discuss what was ailing us. Though we had aged and turned grey and time had taken away our eyesight, hearing, and good looks (in my case average looks) it hadn't diminished our ability to poke fun at ourselves or to take a light hearted view of our health issues. I didn't expect to say goodbye to Billy this soon. But I remember Billy saying quite a few months ago that Life Happens, and that's so true. To Ruth and Billy's family I offer my most sincere condolences and even though I know the pain of losing Billy must be unbearable, I hope you can find solace in remembering all the smiles he put on people's faces through the years and knowing he will live in our collective memories forever. RIP my friend and wishing you the best on your next journey. Your friend Ruben T

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.