Willie Martinez

Willie Martinez, born in and longtime resident of McCamey, has gone to be with our Savior. He was 72. Willie died on Friday evening, April 16, 2021, surrounded by his immediate family at Medical Center Hospital in Odessa, Texas, at 10:10p.m. Mr Martinez dealt with Diabetes and heart complications. He passed away after a cardiac arrest and heart attack.

He is preceded in death by his parents Victor Martinez and Hortencia Molina; and his brother, Albert Martinez and sister, Juanita Franco. He is survived by his daughter, Vanessa Rodgers and husband Chad of McCamey; a son , Albert Martinez and wife Yanette, of Boerne; sister Dorothy Barcenas and husband Juan of Grand Prairie; and sister Lupe Martinez of McCamey; six grandchildren, Alyson Zuniga-Martinez of Austin, Gaston Zuniga-Martinez of McCamey; Thad Rodgers of McCamey; Julian and Amaan Martinez of Boerne; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dad will always be remembered for his love of golf, playing pool, music, dancing, the McCamey Badgers and the Dallas Cowboys. Dad enjoyed traveling to follow his son’s football career and coaching career at different schools and was a fan of every team. He enjoyed viewing all sports but truly took pride in watching his grandkids play their sporting events. His love for his grandkids will truly be missed for they will miss “the claw” “the spider” “shooting hoops” “trying fine wine” and “learning new genres of music”. He had an infectious smile and did not know a stranger. He welcomed all. Dad loved being a Badger from McCamey, Tx. He loved his community of McCamey. He was the first Latino elected as Upton County Commissioner and served for 5 consecutive terms. Dad loved working with his community and making it a better place to live. He had a great group of golfing buddies, the Chile’s as they fondly called each other, they were with Dad through the fun times and the really hard times and kept him busy after his beloved wife, Linda, passed away.

May he finally rest in peace with his maker and find eternal bliss with his loving bride, which he truly deserves. His viewing will take place on Thursday, April 22 from 12pm-7pm with the Rosary at 7pm in the Shaffer-Nichols Funeral Home in McCamey, followed by his funeral Mass on Friday, April 23, at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in McCamey, TX at 4pm (limited to immediate family only due to COVID restrictions), internment will be at the Resthaven Cemetery in McCamey at 5pm and then a beautiful and memorable celebration of life at his “happy place” The McCamey Country Club where stories, pictures, music and love will be shared.