SAN FRANCISCO — Benson Blake Martin III died Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009, in San Francisco. He was 71.

Born in Vicksburg, he was the son of the late Dr. Benson B. Martin Jr. and Mary Morrison Martin of Vicksburg.

Mr. Martin was a graduate of Sewanee Military Academy and graduated from Tulane University in 1960. He served in the Army during the Vietnam War.

He managed the Van Ness Motel in San Francisco for 23 years and attended Sts. Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco, where he served as a greeter and usher.

He is survived by a sister, Betty Martin Wardlaw of Baton Rouge; and other relatives.

A memorial service in Vicksburg will be announced at a later date under the direction of Riles Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Church, 666 Filbert St., San Francisco, CA 94133.