Bill Martin

1948 - 2020

Bill Martin
Boone - William "Bill" Martin Jr., age 72, of Boone, passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at Iowa Lutheran Hospital in Des Moines due to complications from COVID-19.
Due to COVID health concerns, there will be no services held at this time.
Bill was born in Ames, Iowa in 1948, but spent most of his childhood in Colorado Springs, where he always said part of his heart remained. After the Martin family moved back to Iowa and settled in Boone, Bill graduated from Boone High School. One of his favorite experiences was playing trumpet in the Boone High School Marching Band when they were invited to perform in the Rose Bowl Parade in 1963. He remained close to his band friends all throughout his adult life, and continued making music- forming the Bill Martin Group, and playing trumpet in the Boone Municipal Band.
After graduating from Iowa State University, he returned to Colorado and became an avid backpacker, always with his golden retriever at his side. He was very proud to say he bought his first house by playing solo piano gigs. It was at one of these gigs that he met his wife Sarah and they got married a year and a half later in 1989. Shortly after, he pursued his PhD in Clinical Psychology at the University of Wyoming. He and Sarah moved back to Iowa to raise their daughter closer to family.
Bill was a father, husband, musician, and a lover of animals and nature. Working outside and caring for his land was something that brought him true joy. Those who knew him knew that he was a romantic at heart, perhaps as a result of growing up with his four beloved sisters. Bill had a way with words, and took pride in passing on stories from his childhood with his cousins and extended family. He cherished those memories greatly. As a lover of poetry, music and literature, he always seemed to have the right quote for every situation. A true family man, Bill named both his younger sister and his daughter after his mother Laura, whom he loved deeply.
Bill practiced as a Clinical Psychologist for over 20 years and cared deeply about his patients. This carried over into his personal life. His family can recall many nights he spent on the phone with friends or family helping them through whatever struggles they faced. He always offered calm, patient advice or simply a listening ear. His strong presence will be missed by many.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Laura Martin. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Sarah; daughter, Laura Martin – Wallen (Oskar Wallen) of Sweden; sisters, Peggy Flath, Janice (Joel) Wormley, Marilyn (Michael) Ellsberry, and Laura (John) Leland.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel at Sixth and Marshall Streets in Boone. Online condolences may be left to Bill's family at www.schroedermemorialchapel.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the Bill Martin family, C/O Schroeder-Reimers Memorial Chapel, P.O. Box 15, Boone, IA, 50036, to be used for a memorial bench in Bill's name on the walking/bike path on the west side of Linwood Park Cemetery.