Billy Ray Martin, age 84, a resident of Sikeston, died Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

Billy was born June 23, 1937, at Choctaw, Arkansas, to the late Wilmeth V. Martin Thompson. He was a riverboat captain for many years until he retired. Billy took great pride in his beautiful lawn and always had a story to tell. He was a member of the Shady Acres Church of Christ.

On September 17, 1954, he married Shirley Jean Deason who survives of the home.

Also surviving are his children, Donna (Larry) Layton, Cindy (King) Sidwell, Jeffrey (Karen) Martin and Jill (Mike) McGill; his grandchildren, Aaron Brock (Kristyn) Wooley, Ashley (Paul) Green, Alison Riddle, Mitchell Sidwell, Audra (Jamal) Thomas, Adam (Logan) Martin, Caroline (Jeremy) McGarity, Trent Sidwell, Jess (Taylor) Gleason, Conner Gleason, Benjamin Martin and Clint Gleason, as well as 13 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the funeral hour of 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, August 31, 2021, at Shady Acres Church of Christ in Sikeston. Johnny Hester, Keith Olbricht and Bob Deason will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Blodgett Cemetery under the direction of the McMikle Funeral Home of Sikeston.

Pallbearers will be: Brock Wooley, Adam Martin, Trent Sidwell, Jess Gleason, Benjamin Martin, Clint Gleason, Cooper Wooley, Jase Riddle, Bo Riddle, Ryder Wooley and Rowan Green.

Online condolences may be shared at www.mcmiklefuneralhome.com .