Wilmer "Butch" Leon Martin

Wilmer “Butch” Leon Martin

A Good Guy -

Wilmer “Butch” Leon Martin, age 90, of Carlisle, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side on Saturday, November 10, 2018.  Butch was born on Saturday, April 28, 1928 in Chambersburg to the late Forrest S. Martin and Myra (Zeek) Moats.  In addition to his parents, Butch is preceded in death by his three siblings: Ray Martin, Doris Nickey, Peg Ilgenfritz; and his beloved dog, Holmes; a stray that he brought home to his family.

Butch’s survivors include his wife of 61 years, Shirley Marie (Kepner) Martin; his son, Joel Martin and his wife, Billie Jo “BJ”, of Boiling Springs; his three grandchildren: Taylar Martin, Hailey Martin, Trey Martin; and his canine companion, Annabelle the Boston Terrier.

Butch proudly served as a merchant marine in the United States Coast Guard during World War II.  He retired from The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) in Carlisle, after more than 31 years of service working as a meat manager.  Butch also served as the vice president of the United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1436 for 16 years.  He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles #1299 in Carlisle and a life member of both the Boiling Springs VFW Post 8851 and the White Circle Club in Carlisle, where he was a former trustee.

Butch loved to socialize with everyone, whether it was friends, family, nurses, or even the servers at restaurants.  His laugh was contagious and his smile lit up the room.  He enjoyed taking the grandchildren to school every day, from preschool until they graduated from high school.  When asked about this he replied, “Yes, and I enjoyed every minute of it.”  He also cherished the vacations that they spent together as a family.  Butch attended all of his son’s sporting events and for six years, he operated a concession stand at the football games.  Whenever there was extra free time to fill, Butch would take Joel fishing.  He also loved to cook.

Butch’s family will be remembering his life privately.  Cremation was private.

Contributions in celebration of Butch’s life can be made to Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, Inc., 1117 Country Club Road, Camp Hill, PA  17011, www.PAWoundedWarriors.org/Donations, or United Cerebral Palsy of Central Pennsylvania, 55 Utley Drive, Camp Hill, PA 17011, www.DonateNow.NetworkForGood.org/UCPFoundation.

Butch’s family has entrusted his care to Myers – Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Butch’s full obituary and sign his official guest book at Buhrig.com.