BOONE, Iowa—William “Bill” Martin, age 62, beloved husband, father, son, and brother passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at home in rural Boone County, Iowa on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
Bill was born in September 1962 in Nashville, TN, the son of Jay and Teddie Martin. He spent most of his childhood and early adulthood in the South, particularly Georgia. Bill earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental anthropology from the University of Georgia, and later earned a master’s degree in anthropology from the University of Southern Illinois–Carbondale. After a nearly 20-year career as an archeologist, Bill earned a master’s degree in landscape architecture from Iowa State University and spent the later years of his career as an environmental planner. He was most recently employed as a senior environmental planner at EOR, Inc.
On October 7, 1993 Bill married the love of his life, Kristine Johansen, in Columbia, MO. The couple lived in Missouri, Colorado, and Wyoming before moving to Iowa in 2003. An Eagle Scout, Bill enjoyed being outdoors, and spent countless hours biking, hiking, kayaking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing with his wife. Bill also developed skill as a chip carver, and was famous for his large garden, where everything he grew was grown with love for his family, friends, and community. A gentle giant, Bill valued hard work, decency and integrity, and was a source of strength for his family and friends.
Bill was a township trustee for Worth Township, founded and served as a leader of the Boone County 4-H Science and Tech Club with his wife, and also served on the Boone County 4-H youth committee. In earlier years, Bill also enjoyed volunteering with Habitat for Humanity and similar organizations.
Bill was preceded in death by his grandparents, Tempa and Shirley E. Wilkerson, and Elizabeth Jeannette and Calvin Jay Martin.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Kristine Johansen of Boone, IA; son Zachariah (Anastasiia) Martin of Indianapolis, IN; his parents, Jay and Teddie Martin of St Simons Island, GA; sister, Beth (Mike) Lane of Brunswick, GA; brother, Boyd Martin of St Simons Island, GA; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 25, 2025, at the Iowa Arboretum and Gardens in Boone County, Iowa.
Memorials are suggested to the family to be used at their discretion.
The Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone is assisting the family with these arrangements.
William “Bill” Martin, 62, rural Boone County
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