Wayne William Martin

Wayne William Martin, 81, of Gallipolis Ferry, went home to be with the Lord on April 4, 2025, surrounded by his family.

He was born on December 2, 1943, in Henderson, WV, to the late Ernie and Gladys (Flint) Martin. Wayne described life growing up at the old home place as some hard times but a house full of love from his parents, brothers and sisters. Wayne loved to play guitar and sing and would take his guitar to school. Practice never was a chore for him, music was, and as he would say was just in his blood.

On September 3, 1966, Wayne married the love of his life Opal Irene Clonch. They were the proud parents of two daughters Peggy and Julie. Wayne passed on his love for singing and music to his girls. In 1978, Wayne and Opal had a gospel group "The Martin Family". Wayne loved bluegrass gospel with guitar, fiddle, banjo and mandolin. He played and sang with "The Country Gentlemen" many places around the area including The Mountaineer Opry House in Milton, WV. The Osborne Brothers was his favorite Bluegrass group and there was not a song Wayne did not know. Bluegrass Melodies was his favorite from the group, as it described how Wayne felt about his family and childhood. In 1986, a dream of Wayne's came true when he purchased a D35 1941 Martin guitar. Wayne and Opal were married for 28 years before she went to heaven ahead of him in 1994. After 30 years they are once again reunited.

Wayne loved to bass fish, frog gig and squirrel hunt. He worked at Mabele Iron and Pleasant Valley Hospital. Wayne enjoyed going to Claytor and Grayson Lake and fishing on the pontoon boat with his family. He looked forward to sunny days to sit outside or take a ride on a side by side to see the places where he grew up. Wayne faithfully attended Sunday church services at Pleasant Valley Nursing Home. He loved for his girls to visit and sing his favorite gospel hymns. Wayne loved those who cared for him at the nursing home. He never met a stranger and was loved by all who knew him.

Wayne is survived by two daughters, Peggy (David) Woyan of Milton, WV and Julie (Mark) Whitt of Gallipolis Ferry; four grandchildren, Payton (Kasey) Waybright of Ripley, WV, Brady (Amy) Whitt of Gallipolis Ferry, Drew Woyan of Milton and Amanda Woyan of Milton; three precious great granddaughters, Reese Whitt, Addalynn and Everlee Waybright; a brother Roy Martin of Gallipolis Ferry; a sister, Evelyn Wright of Gallipolis Ferry; and two step great grandchildren, Alec Plants and Klarissa Plants.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Opal Martin; parents, Ernie and Gladys Martin, a brother, Eugene Martin; a sister, Bonnie Saxon; two brothers in law, Dallas Wright and Charles Saxon; and a sister in law, Sue Martin.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the wonderful care Wayne received the last 10 years from all of the staff at Pleasant Valley Nursing Home and Rivers Health for the exceptional care and family support during his last days in their care.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 10, 2025, at the Wilcoxen Funeral Home in Point Pleasant, with Pastor Ted Nance officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Cemetery in Gallipolis Ferry. The family will receive friends two hours prior to the funeral service Thursday at the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed to the family and memories may be shared by visiting www.wilcoxenfuneralhome.com.