Martin, William Donald (Donald)

William Donald (Donald) Martin, 83, of Pembroke, Va., passed away on Friday, January 21, 2011, at Riverview Nursing Home in Rich Creek, Va. He was born on October 8, 1927, in Pembroke, Va., a son of the late John Frank Martin Sr. and Clora Gay Cruise Martin. He was a World War II veteran serving in the United States Army. Donald was a lifelong resident of Pembroke and a member of Pembroke First United Methodist Church since 1954, serving as Sunday School Superintendent for 28 years, a choir member and was active in many other church committees and activities. He also served the Town of Pembroke as Mayor for 28 years, from 1966 to 1994. He retired from Celanese Corporation of America after 42 years of employment. Donald was an avid golfer, enjoying memberships in both Giles Country Club and Castle Rock Golf Club for many years. He was a loving husband, wonderful father and devoted “Paw Paw.” Donald was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, John F. Martin Jr. “Chink,” and Earl L. Martin Sr.; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary Preston M. and Ray Williams, Ruth M. and Everett S. Williams, Christine Martin, Lois M. and Roland Eaton and two infant siblings, Charles and Betty Martin. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Madeline Meredith Martin, of Pembroke; his daughters and sons-in-law, Donna Carole and W.R. Johnston Jr., of Pearisburg, and Celia and Jay Hardwick, of Blacksburg; his grandsons and “granddaughters,” Cris and Melissa Hardwick, of Fredericksburg, Va., and Russ and Brenda Johnston, of San Diego, Calif.; his great-grandchildren, Jacob Dylan and Aiden Thomas Hardwick, of Fredericksburg, Va., and Kiera Giselle Johnston, of San Diego, Calif.; his sisters and brother-in-law, Peggy M. and R.E. “Doby” Robertson, of Salem, and Sue M. Golden, of Pembroke; two sisters-in-law, Louise Martin, of Pearisburg, and Eileen Martin, of Vinton; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank Dr. Kenneth Walker and all the staff at Riverview Nursing and Rehab Center, Rich Creek, Va., for their kindness and wonderful care during Donald’s time there. The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Pembroke First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 69, Pembroke, Va. 24136. Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m. on Monday, January 24, 2011, at Pembroke First United Methodist Church with Pastor Rob Lough and Pastor Eddie Kendall officiating. Interment will follow at Birchlawn Burial Park, Pearisburg, Va. Visitation will be at Kendall Funeral Home in Pembroke on Sunday, January 23, 2011, from 4 to 6 p.m. The family is being served by Kendall Funeral Home. Online condolences may be sent by visiting kendallfuneralhome.com