Billy Ray Martinez

1961-2017 Billy Ray Martinez, age 56, a resident of San Fernandez, NM, passed away on Monday, September 18, 2017. He was a member and part of the Pastoral Council at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Peralta, NM. Billy was also Mayordomo for the month of December at Sangre De Cristo Mission Church as well as Valencia County Commissioner for District 2. Billy Ray was a lifelong resident of Los Lunas, NM, where he graduated from high school in 1979. He attended Vo-Tech Technical School where he studied welding. He worked as a welder and later formed BRM Construction where he focused on the construction of metal buildings throughout Valencia County. Billy had a deep passion for Valencia County and maintained business and personal relationships with many people. He was elected to the Valencia County Commission District 2 in November, 2016. In his role as Commissioner, he was committed to improving the County, especially District 2, which is the only un-incorporated district in the County. Billy’s construction knowledge and deep roots in the community brought great perspective to the commission. His passion for the people and the future of Valencia County helped set a direction that will remain his legacy. Billy Ray’s love of his family, church and community were the qualities most admired by those who knew him. Billy Ray, like his father, knew enough about most things, allowing him the ability to talk to anyone on any subject. He shared his knowledge graciously and took the time to teach those who came to him for advice or direction. Billy Ray is preceded in death by his father, Billy C. Martinez; infant sister, Elizabeth Martinez; infant niece, Alexa Rae Martinez; paternal grandparents, Demecio and Josefita Martinez; maternal grandparents, Jose Manuel and Eduarda Sanchez. He is survived by his son, Armando Martinez and fianceé, Shawnee Aragon; daughter, Lindsy Martinez and fianceé, Conrado Armijo; grandsons, Mateo Armijo, Eneas Armijo, Darius Armijo and fianceé, Miriam Rocha; great granddaughter, Hailey Armijo; mother, Esther Martinez; brothers, Chris Martinez and wife, Tracey, Gerald Martinez and wife, Fran, Vivian Edward Martinez and spouse, Douglas Brewster; mother of his children, Camille Sanchez; and several nephews and nieces. All services will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Peralta on Friday, September 22, 2017. A Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m., with a Rosary to be recited at 10:00 a.m., and a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Urnbearers will be Conrado Armijo and Shawnee Aragon. Honorary urnbearers will be Chris Hedgeman, Andres Martinez, Clayton Martinez, Dana Martinez, Dani Rae Martinez, Russell Martinez, and Jarrod Tesch. Please sign Billy Ray’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St. Belen, NM.

Billy Ray Martinez

September 14, 1961 - September 18, 2017